Thursday, January 22, 2026 - Samuel Oguachuba, the famous record producer, who is popularly known as Samklef, has challenged the popular belief that Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is the originator of Afrobeat.
The Molowo hitmaker alleged
that Fela “stole” the idea of the genre from another veteran musician, Orlando
Julius Ekemode.
Samkleff made the
allegation amid the ongoing feud between his former associate Wizkid and Fela’s
family.
He also claimed that
Orlando taught Fela how to play instruments.
Sharing a photo of the
legendary Orlando Julius on his X handle, the producer wrote, “This is the man
that created afrobeat! His name Orlando Julius Ekemode! Fela stole his style!”
He added, “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.”
Contrary to Samkleff’s claims, it is widely believed that
Fela created Afrobeat by blending funk, jazz, salsa, calypso, and West African
rhythms.
View his post below:
Facts! Fela stole Orlando Julius Ekemode style the original afrobeat founder he also thought fela how to play sax! O
— SAMKLEF (@SAMKLEF) January 21, 2026
The problem with Nigeria generally we lack proper documentation. I go start to Dey teach una history. https://t.co/PCdfZ8SxQz
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