Record producer Samuel Oguachuba, popularly known as Samklef, has stirred controversy by claiming that late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was not the true pioneer of the Afrobeat genre.
The Molowo hitmaker alleged that Fela “stole” the Afrobeat concept from veteran Nigerian musician Orlando Julius Ekemode.
Samklef made the claim amid the ongoing feud between his former associate, Wizkid, and members of Fela’s family.
According to Samklef, Orlando Julius not only originated Afrobeat but also played a key role in Fela’s musical development, including teaching him how to play certain instruments.
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Sharing a photo of Orlando Julius on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Samklef wrote: “This is the man who created Afrobeat! His name is Orlando Julius Ekemode! Fela stole his style!”
He further claimed: “Fela stole Orlando Julius Ekemode, the original Afrobeat founder’s style. He also taught Fela how to play sax! The problem with Nigeria is generally we lack proper documentation. I go start to dey teach una history.”
Samklef’s remarks have sparked debate online, with many music lovers and historians pushing back against his claims.
Contrary to his assertion, it is widely accepted that Fela Anikulapo-Kuti pioneered Afrobeat by blending elements of funk, jazz, salsa, calypso, and traditional West African rhythms, creating a distinct sound that later gained global recognition.
The comments have further intensified discussions around Afrobeat’s origins, proper documentation of Nigerian music history, and the legacies of its early pioneers.
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