Along with Fela Kuti, drummer Tony Allen is responsible for creating the Afrobeat genre; particularly for the musical style's characteristic forward thrust, created by the double beat that Allen pioneered. Born and raised in Nigeria, Allen grew up around the popular highlife and juju music scenes. Despite his parents' ardent demand that Allen not pursue music professionally, due to a musician's status as essentially a beggar in Nigeria, Allen taught himself drums by listening to jazz records from America. Eventually meeting up with Kuti, who had a regular show presenting new jazz on the Nigerian Broadcasting Station, the two formed the band Koola Lobitos in 1965, which would later become Nigeria 70, then Afrika 70. After recording and touring with Kuti for twenty years, and popularizing the genre they created together, Allen broke off on his own to record solo work. Since then, the drummer has relocated to Paris, recorded multiple albums with various backing bands and still performs today.
