Femi Kuti has rejected the popular belief that late drummer Tony Allen co-created Afrobeat with his father, Fela Kuti
In a recent video shared on social media, Femi made it clear that while Tony Allen was a phenomenal drummer, he was not a co-pioneer of the genre. According to him, Fela alone was responsible for the creation of Afrobeat — composing every instrumental part, including the drums, and teaching it to his band members.
“My father created Afrobeat. He composed every single part — drums, bass, guitar, horns — and taught everyone their role. Tony Allen was not a co-creator,” Femi said. He also questioned the authenticity of sources that credit Allen as a co-founder, demanding proof of any statement from Fela himself that supports that view.
Femi’s comments come in contrast to widely accepted narratives that recognize Allen as a crucial figure in Afrobeat’s development. Many music historians and even Fela himself have in the past credited Allen’s unique drumming style as foundational to the sound of Afrobeat.
The disagreement highlights the ongoing debate over Afrobeat’s origins and the roles played by the artists who brought it to life.
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