Tony Allen, who passed away in 2020, has long been celebrated by both Nigerian and international media as a co-architect of Afrobeat, thanks to his groundbreaking drumming and collaborative work with Fela throughout the 1970s. However, in a strongly worded video statement, Femi Kuti argued that Allen was a talented drummer but not a creative partner in the genre’s formation.
“My father was a multi-instrumentalist and composer. He studied music. He knows every single part of his instrument,” Femi said. “You probably have read that they said he said, ‘Without Tony Allen, there is no Afrobeat.’ That is the biggest bullsh*t ever said about my father. It is such a big lie.”
Femi emphasized that Fela not only conceptualized the sound but also meticulously composed every element of his music, including the drum patterns Allen is often credited with. According to him, Fela instructed all of his instrumentalists—including Allen—on what to play.
“Fela came up with all his drum patterns. We saw it,” he continued. “Fela wrote all his patterns. I keep telling them, why didn’t Tony Allen tell us which songs he did for Fela? He couldn’t, because there was no song that Fela asked him to put the drum pattern for him.”
He also criticized the narrative that attempts to elevate Allen’s role, suggesting it was a marketing strategy to promote Allen’s solo career post-Fela. Femi further challenged those who insist Fela credited Allen as co-creator to produce evidence: “There is no article, recording or footage from any interview to prove it. It is impossible that Fela would make such a statement and there is no copy anywhere.”
While Femi’s comments have sparked renewed debate among Afrobeat historians and fans, they underscore the complexity of preserving the legacy of an iconic and deeply influential genre. As the conversation continues, what remains undeniable is the towering impact of both Fela Kuti and Tony Allen on the global music scene.