Popular record producer, Samuel Oguachuba, better known as Samklef, has stirred fresh controversy after claiming that legendary musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was not the pioneer of Afrobeat, contrary to popular belief.
The producer alleged that the late Afrobeat icon borrowed heavily from another veteran musician, Orlando Julius Ekemode, whom he described as the true originator of the genre.
Yencityjamz reports that Samklef made the claim amid an ongoing feud between his former associate, Wizkid, and members of Fela’s family.
Taking to his 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle, Samklef shared a photo of Orlando Julius and accused Fela of appropriating his musical ideas.
“This is the man that created afrobeat! His name Orlando Julius Ekemode! Fela stole his style!” he wrote.
He further alleged that Orlando Julius played a key role in shaping Fela’s musical journey.
“Fela stole Orlando Julius Ekemode, the original afrobeat founder’s style. He also taught Fela how to play sax!” Samklef added.
The producer also blamed Nigeria’s weak historical documentation for what he described as widespread misinformation about the origins of Afrobeat.
The problem with Nigeria is generally, we lack proper documentation. I go start to Dey teach una history,” he wrote.
Samklef’s comments have generated mixed reactions online, with some users supporting the call for deeper exploration of Afrobeat’s roots, while others accused him of attempting to diminish Fela’s legacy.
Many music enthusiasts noted that Orlando Julius was indeed a significant figure in the development of Afro-soul and early Afrobeat-influenced sounds, especially in the 1960s and 1970s.
Despite Samklef’s claims, the widely accepted view among scholars and music historians is that Fela Anikulapo-Kuti pioneered Afrobeat by blending elements of funk, jazz, salsa, calypso and traditional West African rhythms, while also infusing the genre with politically charged lyrics.
Fela’s innovations, consistency and global influence are often cited as key reasons he is credited with defining and popularising Afrobeat as a distinct musical genre.
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