Essential Albums: Afrobeat

Afrobeat is a musical genre created in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1968 by the incredible multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti and his bandmate Tony Allen, an awesome drummer.

Afrobeat is a wonderful mix of Yoruba, Funk, Jazz and African percussions. It is appealing to the fans of all four above-mentioned genres. The lyrics featured in Afrobeat songs are often political message carriers.

The story of this genre didn't stop with the death of Fela Kuti, also known as the Black President, in 1997. Tony Allen keeps producing great songs and Fela's sons, Femi and Seun are very good (though the latter still needs to produce an album).

The following are, in my humble opinion, must-have Afrobeat records:

Fela Ransome-Kuti and Africa 70 with Ginger Baker Live, Fela Kuti
Available from eMusic.


New Tones, Nomo
Available from eMusic.


Shoki Shoki, Femi Kuti


Lagos No Shaking, Tony Allen


No Accommodation For Lagos - No Discrimination, Tony Allen
Available from eMusic.


Music Is The Weapon Of The Future, Fela Kuti
Available from eMusic.


The Best Of The Black President, Fela Kuti


Jealousy - Progress, Tony Allen
Available from eMusic.