Timaya Defends Fela Legacy Amid Tekno’s Controversial Remark
Popular Nigerian Singer, Timaya has said Nigerian music would not have attained its current global prominence without the pioneering efforts of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Speaking on an episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, Timaya stated that Fela inspired him and many other Nigerian musicians.
He described Fela’s influence as global, noting that the late icon is revered like a deity in Cameroon.
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The singer stressed that because of Fela’s immense contributions to the industry, he could never disrespect him or his family.
“Without Fela, nobody would have known us and we wouldn’t be here singing music. I call him Baba because he didn’t inspire only me and other Nigerians, go to Cameroon they honour his name like God. They even have a radio program on weekends where they only play his Music. Fela is the greatest man I can’t never in my life disrespect him nor his family,” he said.
Timaya’s remarks come after Afrobeats singer Tekno recently doubled down on his earlier statement that Fela is not his “king” of Nigerian music.
Speaking in an interview with Yanga FM Lagos, Tekno insisted that highlife legend Oliver De Coque remains his true musical king.
He explained that as an Igbo who grew up in Kaduna, he was not exposed to Fela’s music while growing up.
“Fela is not and will never be my king [of music]. Oliver De Coque is the king for me,” Tekno stated.
BY ABDULBAQI JIBREEL AJAO
