Tekno Discusses Afrobeats Origins, Highlights Influences

On August 27, 2023, Nigerian singer Tekno reignited the conversation about the origins of Afrobeats during an interview on HOT 97’s World Wide Wake Up show in July. He stated that the history of the genre extends beyond Fela Kuti, who is often credited due to his international exposure.

Tekno shared that he grew up listening to highlife music from South-East Nigeria, particularly influenced by Oliver De Coque, a prominent figure in Nigerian highlife known for blending traditional Igbo sounds with modern instrumentation. He remarked, “Fela gets the credit because he was well travelled with his band,” acknowledging that while Fela is seen as the originator of Afrobeat, many other musicians from the same era also made significant contributions.

Tekno noted that his own work, including the song “Rara,” was inspired by Fela, but he emphasized the importance of recognizing the diverse musical traditions that shape Nigeria's music history.