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Timaya

Nigerian singer Timaya has credited late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti with playing a major role in the growth and global popularity of Nigerian music.

Timaya made the remarks while speaking on an episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, where he reflected on Fela’s influence on Nigerian musicians and the wider African music scene.

According to the singer, Fela’s contribution to Nigerian music was so significant that the country’s contemporary music industry cannot be discussed without acknowledging the foundation laid by the Afrobeat icon.

Timaya said Fela’s influence extended beyond Nigeria, describing his impact as global and noting the level of reverence accorded to the late musician in other African countries.

He cited Cameroon as an example, claiming that Fela is regarded with an almost god-like level of honour there.

“For me, Fela is one person you cannot disrespect,” Timaya said while discussing the legacy of the Afrobeat pioneer.

The singer also acknowledged Fela’s influence on his own musical journey, saying the late musician inspired him as well as several other Nigerian artists.

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Fela, who died in 1997 at the age of 58, is widely regarded as the creator of Afrobeat, a genre that combines traditional African rhythms with jazz, funk and politically charged lyrics.

Beyond his music, he was known for using his songs to address political issues, social inequality, corruption and human rights concerns in Nigeria.

His music and stage performances subsequently influenced generations of African musicians, while his catalogue has continued to attract international interest decades after his death.

Timaya’s comments come amid the continued global expansion of Nigerian music, with Afrobeats artists increasingly performing on international stages and collaborating with musicians from different parts of the world.

The singer stressed that Fela’s role in creating the cultural foundation from which subsequent generations benefited should not be overlooked.

He also said he would never disrespect Fela or members of his family because of the immense contribution the late musician made to Nigerian music.

For Timaya, the achievements of contemporary Nigerian artistes are connected to the work of earlier pioneers who helped establish the country’s music as a powerful cultural export.

Fela’s legacy has remained prominent through his music, the continued activities around his Kalakuta Republic heritage and the growing international recognition of Afrobeat as a major influence on contemporary African music.

Timaya’s remarks therefore underline the enduring influence of a musician whose work continues to shape conversations about Nigerian music, culture and identity more than two decades after his death.

The Traffic NG
Timaya
Esther Umana
The Traffic NG

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