If Fela Kuti was the soul of Afrobeat, Tony Allen was the engine.​He was the drummer and musical director for Fela’s band, Africa ’70, from 1968 to 1979.

He is often called the “world’s greatest drummer” (a title famously given to him by Brian Eno), and his contribution was so vital that Fela himself said, “Without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat.” ​Here is why he is legendary:

1. The Inventor of the Rhythm​Tony Allen didn’t just play the drums; he invented the “grid” that Afrobeat sits on. Before him, African drummers mostly played traditional rhythms or standard Highlife. Allen combined Yoruba percussion, American Jazz (like Art Blakey), and Funk. ​**Four-Limb Independence: He was famous for playing a different rhythm with each limb simultaneously—his right hand on the cymbal, left on the snare, right foot on the kick, and left on the hi-hat—creating a seamless, hypnotic “weaving” sound. ​

2. The “Human Metronome”​Unlike many drummers who play loud and heavy, Allen’s style was soft and steady. He played with a “relaxed” authority that allowed the 15-minute Afrobeat tracks to breathe. He provided the steady pulse that allowed Fela’s political horn sections and vocals to soar. ​

3. Life After Fela​Allen left Fela’s band in 1979 (partly due to disputes over pay and the chaotic lifestyle at Fela’s Kalakuta Republic). He didn’t stop there: ​Afrofunk: He moved to Europe and began blending Afrobeat with electronica, dub, and hip-hop. ​Global Collaborations: In his later years, he became a “cool uncle” to global rock and pop stars. He formed the band The Good, the Bad & the Queen with Damon Albarn (Gorillaz/Blur) and worked with artists like Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers). ​

4. Legacy and Death​Tony Allen passed away on April 30, 2020, in Paris at the age of 79. Even after his death, his influence is massive. Many of the drum patterns you hear in modern Afrobeats (like the mid-tempo “shuffling” feel) are simplified versions of the complex rhythms Allen created 50 years ago. ​Key Tony Allen Albums to Listen To:​With Fela Kuti: Zombie (1976), Expensive Shit (1975). ​Solo: Jealousy (1975), No Discrimination (1980), There Is No End (Posthumous, 2021—features rappers like Skepta and Danny Brown).