Tony Allen

Tony Oladipo Allen (20 July 1940 – 30 April 2020) was a Nigerian drummer, composer, and songwriter. Allen was the drummer and musical director of Fela Kuti's band Africa '70 from 1968 to 1979, and was one of the founders of the Afrobeat genre.

Fela once stated that "without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat". He was described by Brian Eno as "perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived".

Later in life, Allen collaborated with Damon Albarn on several projects, including the Good, the Bad & the Queen and Rocket Juice & the Moon, as well as on Yannis & the Yaw with Yannis Philippakis.