We are devastated to learn of the passing of Tony Allen. He died in Paris late yesterday and the news was shared during the course of last night.
We've been working with Tony, BMG, and his label World Circuit Records, around the release of his latest album, Rejoice, with Hugh Masekela. As recently as a few weeks ago we had Tony speaking to SA media, as well as welcoming fans and press, via video from his home in Paris, to his album launch at Kaya FM in Johannesburg.
The summary from this morning's The Guardian is a reminder of what a giant of a man he was. Referencing his work with the Iconic Fela Kuti:
...the pair created Afrobeat, combining west African musical styles with US jazz and funk. Afrobeat went on to become one of the totemic genres of 20th century African music. Over Allen’s thrilling beat, Kuti laid out his revolutionary and pan-African message, which led him to become one of the abiding icons of the struggle for freedom across the continent. Such was the hole that Allen left in his band, Kuti needed four drummers to replace him.
Hamba kahle brother Tony Allen.
