7 things you should know about Fela Kuti's legendary drummer

princess abumere 11:26 - 12 August 2015

Allen playing at the Glastonbury Festival in 2010.

Legend has it Allen can drum in a distinctly unique trademark with each of his limbs. Get to know more about the man who helped create afrobeat.

If you are a lover of the afrobeat genre, it’s impossible to celebrate the Fela Kuti creation without acknowledging his former drummer Tony Oladipo Allen.

Today, 12 August 2015 the veteran drummer turns 75. Described as one of the most talented drummers from Nigeria, here are some things you should know about him.

He played a key role in establishing afrobeat.

Kuti once said: “Without Tony Allen, there would be no afrobeat”. The two met in 1964 and played together for several years.

Allen was once a member of Fela Kuti’s Afrika 70.

Fela usually wrote music for the band, but he always let Allen compose his own parts.

He was a pioneer member of Kuti’s Koola Lobitos which was eventually renamed Afrika 70. He recorded over 30 albums with the band.

In 1979 left the band over payment disagreements and the consistent harassment from the Nigerian government. He eventually formed his own band.

He drumming style has been described as legendary.

When he left Afrika 70, he was replaced by two drummers who had to play his parts separately.

Legend has it Allen can drum in a distinctly unique trademark with each of his limbs.

He played with Nigerian trumpeter and singer Dr Victor Olaiya.

In his teenage years, the self-taught musician played claves for Dr Victor Olaiya's band called the Cool Cats. He also played with other upcoming bands at the time including Agu Norris and the Heatwaves, the Nigerian Messengers and the Melody Makers.

He developed afrofunk.

Allen's style of music is a combination of African highlife and American Jazz/Funk. It has been described as a blend of Art Blakey, Bob Marley, Prince and James Brown.