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Seun Kuti Says Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Pioneered Rap Before It Had a Name
Nigerian musician Seun Kuti has sparked debate after claiming that his late father, Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, was also a forerunner of rap music.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Hits Don’t Lie podcast, Seun argued that Fela incorporated rap-style vocal delivery long before the genre was formally identified or popularized.
According to him, the late icon showcased elements of rapping on his 1980 album Authority Stealing, at a time when the term “rap” was not yet widely known.
“Fela was the first person to rap. He did a bit of rapping on the album Authority Stealing,” Seun said. “When he did it, we didn’t know it was going to be called ‘rap.’”
However, Seun’s assertion contrasts with widely accepted accounts of hip-hop history. DJ Kool Herc, often regarded as a founding figure of hip-hop, is credited with pioneering the breakbeat technique in 1973, seven years before Authority Stealing was released.
Alongside Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash, Kool Herc is widely acknowledged as part of the trio that shaped the foundations of rap and hip-hop culture in the United States.
While the debate continues, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti remains globally celebrated as the creator of Afrobeats, a genre that has profoundly influenced music across Africa and the world.
“Fela was the first person to rap. When he did it, we didn’t know it was going to be called ‘Rap.'”
– Seun Kuti pic.twitter.com/088i6MnsDr
— Pulse Nigeria (@PulseNigeria247) January 17, 2026