Tributes have poured in for Tony Allen, who has been hailed as a pioneering drummer who brought Afrobeat to the world in the 70s and played with Damon Albarn and Africa Express.
Influential Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen has reportedly died aged 79.
Flea, the bassist for rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and a collaborator of Allen’s, confirmed the news before tributes were paid to the drumming legend.
Rolling Stone said Allen died in Paris, though his cause of death is unknown.
Nigeria-born Allen was a drumming pioneer who, along with the revered musician Fela Kuit, helped define the Afrobeat genre as part of the band Africa ’70.
Africa Express, a UK-based group that promotes African music, tweeted: “RIP Tony. Simply the best. We’ll miss you.”
