NIGERIA singer, Alexander Adegbola Akande, who is well known as 9ice, has praised the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti for giving Nigerian music a platform in the world.
According to the Gongo Aso crooner, the late performer is responsible for putting Nigerian music on the global map. 9ice also gave acknowledgement to King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey.
9ice said in a recent interview with Sis Project Studios: “Fela Anikulapo-Kuti gave us the platform, which is Afrobeat, for us to climb on top. We were trying to do Afropop. We were trying to do afrobeats. We were trying to do different names. But Baba already has something that the world recognised.
“Afrobeat taught me a lot. King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti are our grandfathers. And I’m glad to be in existence to emulate or to follow what they’ve done.”
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who is also known as Abami Eda, is regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat. He died on August 2, 1997.
