{
  "id": 10025828,
  "title": "Without Fela, Nigerian music wouldn’t have been popular – Timaya claims",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/without-fela-nigerian-music-wouldnt-have-been-popular-timaya-claims",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T17:22:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/26/without-fela-nigerian-music-wouldnt-have-been-popular-timaya-claims/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nigerian musician Timaya has asserted that the late Afrobeat icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti played an indispensable role in the popularity of Nigerian music today. In an episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, Timaya highlighted Fela's immense influence, stating that his music inspired countless Nigerian artists and even gained global recognition, with Cameroonian listeners honoring him as if he were a deity. Timaya emphasized his respect for Fela, calling him \"Baba\" and vowing never to disrespect him or his family. He also praised the Nigerian radio program dedicated solely to Fela's music, airing on weekends. Tekno, an Afrobeats singer, recently countered Timaya's claim by stating that Fela is not his \"king\" of Nigerian music, but rather Oliver De Coque is the true king. Tekno explained that being Igbo and growing up in Kaduna, he never heard of Fela's music.",
  "summary": "Singer Timaya has said that Nigerian music wouldn’t have been popular as it is today without the contributions of the late Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Speaking in an episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, Timaya said Fela inspired him and many Nigerian artists. He noted that Fela’s influences was global, claiming that he is honoured […] Without Fela, Nigerian music wouldn’t…",
  "key_points": [
    "Fela's music inspired countless Nigerian artists and gained global recognition.",
    "Tekno counters Timaya's claim, naming Oliver De Coque as the true king of Nigerian music."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}