Timaya says Nigerian music wouldn't be popular without Fela's influence

Singer Timaya told the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast that Nigerian music would not have achieved its current popularity without the influence of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, saying he is honoured like a god in Cameroon where a weekend radio program plays only his songs. He added that he calls Fela ‘Baba’ and could never disrespect him or his family. DAILY POST also reported that fellow Afrobeats star Tekno recently reaffirmed his earlier view that Fela is not his musical king, insisting that Igbo highlife legend Oliver De Coque holds that title for him because he grew up in Kaduna without exposure to Fela’s music. These contrasting statements highlight the ongoing debate over Fela’s legacy in shaping today’s Nigerian sound, with some artists seeing him as foundational while others trace their roots to different genres. The discussion underscores how Fela’s impact remains a reference point for Nigerian musicians navigating their influences and identity in a globalized industry. For listeners, the exchange invites reflection on which musical pioneers shape their own tastes and how genre boundaries continue to evolve in Nigeria’s vibrant music scene.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/26/without-fela-nigerian-music-wouldnt-have-been-popular-timaya-claims/