Tag Archives: Fela Kuti

Concert Review: Felabration! – New York’s Official Felabration Party featuring Chop & Quench (the Fela! Band), Debo Band, ?uestlove, presented by Okayafrica

Date: October 15, 2014
Venue: Le Poisson Rouge (NY)

Concert review by Dante Mann

A birthday tribute to the late renowned Nigerian artist and activist Fela Kuti on October 18th brought together a diverse crowd and fun mix of performers for a night of extraordinary music.

Photo by Dante Mann

Photo by Dante Mann

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An introduction to the Godfather of Afrobeat drumming – Tony Allen.

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!!

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