Nigerian music producer Samklef has declared Orlando Julius as the true founder of Afrobeat.
In a post on his X page, he claimed that Fela Kuti adopted Julius’ style without giving credit and that Julius also taught Fela to play the saxophone.
Samklef criticized the trend of using Fela’s name for modern music benefits, questioning why Seun Kuti and his family have not fully leveraged their father’s legacy.
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He pointed out that Nigeria’s lack of proper documentation has contributed to misunderstandings about the origins of Afrobeat.
He wrote: “Orlando Julius, Nigeria’s Afrobeat pioneer, original founder! Fela Kuti stole his style and never acknowledged him.This is the man that created afrobeat!
“Is name Orlando Julius Ekemode! Fela stole
His style!You claim wizkid is benefiting of your papa name fela why Seun and him family no use their papa name benefit their selves?
“I will end it here for now.Facts! Fela stole Orlando Julius Ekemode style the original afrobeat founder he also thought fela how to play sax! O The problem with Nigeria generally we lack proper documentation. I go start to Dey teach una history.”
