“I started Afrobeat in Nigeria in 1960” – Old interview with Orlando Julius Resurfaced
An old interview with late legendary musician, Orlando Julius, has resurfaced amid controversy involving award-winning singer Wizkid and Seun Kuti, the son of late legendary musician Fela Kuti.
In the interview with Agbaletu TV, Orlando Julius stated that he started the genre called Afrobeat, which many may say metamorphosed into today’s global genre, Afrobeats. This is despite a belief that Fela Kuti founded the genre.
“I started Afrobeat in Nigeria in 1960”, Orlando Julius said, adding that there was never anyone making music in any form close to Afrobeat at the time.
On what inspired Afrobeat, he said, “I was born in Ikole Ekiti. My dad was Osomalo. That was where I was schooled, and I was one of the band boys of St. Peter’s Anglican School, Ikole Ekiti. Music had been in my blood since then, and my mother played a role in my fondness for music because when we finished eating after getting home from school, I used to sing at night for my mother, who was an Aso Ofi fabric maker.
Person when studied Music for Europe na you give platform 😂
You never call ur music afrobeat , you gave ur music different name which is afro soul . For education purpose all musician gave there music names in 50’s 60′ 70’s 80’s 90’s… we have Afro juju , afro beat , afro soul etc it was only fela dat call is music afro beat
It may be truth
Oj baba RIP
Listening to Orlando and Fela’s music say it all. They are both ain’t the same. So what was he really talking about?
There is a credence to his (Orlando Julius Ekemode’s claim. Both Orlando Julius and Fela experimented with Highlife, Jazz, Soul and various African music to form what is currently known as “Afro beat” However, Julius Ekemode’s first Afro beat or “Afro soul” album, Jaguar Nana was released in 1965 while Fela’s first Afrobeat album was released in early 1970s.
I know that na una started music in the world sha we don hear baba
This one be like Black face vs Tuface talk..
There are Afro beats. But one stands out globally. We all know that one. I beg! No argument. Let them rest.
It is the truth but Fela gave it the commercial element through innovation that made it resonated with Nigerians… The force of the horns, the pigin English. the yabing of government.. Tony Allen the drummer Created the beat on Felas request..and it changed the whole game.. Fela has the money and influence to push the music too. dont forget his mum was the first to drive a car in Nigeria..
With Orlando the Idea would have died a natural death like any other idea too. If you still want to argue, make Orlando give us the record of the very first Afro sound..
Infact the song I feel good by James brown. Orlando composed the song and his version.. I have heard the audio.