Speaking during an interview, Tekno explained that he was born in Bauchi and grew up in Northern Nigeria, where Yoruba music was not commonly played around him.
“I no hear Fela growing up. I didn’t say he’s not the originator of Afrobeat,” he said.
The singer said his musical influences were different, noting that although his music is often categorised as Afrobeat because he is Nigerian, only one of his songs, “Rara”, sounds like the style of Afrobeat associated with Fela.
“Of every single hit record I’ve made, the only song I would call or record that would sound like what they would say Fela’s Afrobeat is ‘Rara’,” Tekno said.
He pointed out that Fela did not make songs such as “Duro”, “Pana” or “Yawa”, while stressing that he respects the late musician.
“We all love Fela, but I didn’t listen to him growing up. Even after I grow up, I no still listen to am,” he added.
Tekno compared his preference to football fandom, saying that choosing one artiste over another does not mean he considers the other person a legend.
“It no mean say Fela no be legend. He wasn’t my king, he never was my king, he will never be my king,” he stated.
When asked who his own musical king is, Tekno named veteran Nigerian highlife musician Oliver De Coque.
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