Music producer Samuel Oguachuba, popularly known as Samklef, has sparked a new debate in the Nigerian music industry by claiming that the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was not the original creator of Afrobeat.
In social media posts on Wednesday, January 21, Samklef alleged that Fela “stole” the signature Afrobeat sound from veteran multi-instrumentalist Orlando Julius Ekemode. The comments come amid ongoing disputes between Wizkid and the Kuti family over Afrobeat’s legacy.
“This is the man that created afrobeat!
His name Orlando Julius Ekemode!
Fela stole his style!”
Samklef wrote on his X handle.
He further claimed that Fela learned directly from Orlando Julius:
“He also taught Fela how to play sax!”
Music historians note that Orlando Julius and his band, Modern Aces, began blending American soul and funk with Nigerian highlife as early as 1964. His 1966 album, Super Afro Soul, is considered a precursor to Afrobeat. Before his death in 2022, Orlando Julius reportedly said:
“It was because of me that Kuti learned to play saxophone.”
Samklef suggested that Fela’s sole recognition stems from poor historical documentation:
“The problem with Nigeria is generally, we lack proper documentation.
I go start to Dey teach una history,”
he added.
Records show Fela’s band, Koola Lobitos, was playing “Jazz-Highlife” in the mid-1960s. Late drummer Tony Allen acknowledged that while Orlando Julius “was doing something different” earlier, the polyrhythmic complexity of Afrobeat was Fela’s later innovation.
The industry remains divided. Some veterans say Orlando Julius is an underappreciated pioneer. Others argue Fela’s unique fusion of music and activism secures his distinct place in Afrobeat history.
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