Text by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi
Fela Kuti once stated that, “without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat.” Which is very true! After watching the two videos below you will find out why.
Nigeria’s most famous and respected drummer, composer and songwriter Tony Oladipo Allen (born1940 in Lagos, Nigeria), who was one of the co-founders of the music genre called Afrobeat (music), was the musical director of Fela’s band Africa ’70. He recorded over 30 albums with Fela and Africa ’70!!!
About this video: rare early footage (shot by Ginger Baker) featuring Fela & Afrika 70 performing in the rainy southeastern town of Calabar, shortly after the the Nigerian civil war!!
He currently lives and works in Paris. Writing his autobiography “Tony Allen: Master Drummer of Afrobeat” with the help of author and musician Michael E. Veal, who also wrote a biography of Fela Kuti.
Allen about Fela: “Fela used to write out the parts for all the musicians in the band (Africa ’70). I was the only one who originated the music I played. Fela would ask what type of rhythm I wanted to play… You can tell a good drummer because we… have four limbs… and they are… playing different things… the patterns don’t just come from Yoruba… [but] other parts of Nigeria and Africa.” (Graeme Ewens, “Africa O-Ye!”, 1991)
Allen left Fela’s band in 1979 starting his solo career.
About this video: Tony Allen’s drum clinic on Afrobeat at the Red Bull Music Academy Taster in Amsterdam, Sep 5, 2009.
