Nigerian singer, actor and activist Onyeka Onwenu dies aged 72
Nicknamed the ‘Elegant Stallion’, the revered star died after performing at a private party in Lagos
April 2024
‘Bass on one shoulder, bow and arrows on the other’: life with Fela Kuti on history’s most dangerous tour
In 1979, my father Roy Ayers went on an extraordinary three-week tour with the Afrobeat pioneer amid extreme violence in Nigeria. Three band members recount the unforgettable trip
November 2022
From Bowie to Beyoncé: the gateway albums to get into the greatest artists
Keen to explore an artist’s oeuvre but overwhelmed by choice in today’s stream-heavy world? Fear not: from Joni to Fela, Madonna to Miles, our critics tell you which album to begin with
April 2022
Orlando Julius obituary
Saxophonist, singer and bandleader whose fusions of highlife and American styles helped transform Nigerian music
December 2021
Lemi Ghariokwu, Fela Kuti’s artist: ‘He always had someone for rolling joints. It was a rockstar lifestyle’
The painter impressed Nigeria’s Afrobeat pioneer, and soon he was creating intricate record covers at Kuti’s right hand. But amid violence and disorder, their friendship soured
November 2021
Tony Allen: A Retrospective review – sprawling tribute gets the crowd on its feet
At almost three hours, Damon Albarn, Femi Koleoso, Ben Okri and co still struggled to encapsulate the full gamut of Allen’s creativity
April 2021
‘Our ethos was happy music and good vibes’: genre-busting Black British band Osibisa
Global album of the month
Tony Allen: There Is No End review – consummate collaborator's final drumroll
January 2021
Different beat: how Fela Kuti’s son and grandson are modernising the dynasty
'The system is rigged': Seun Kuti on reviving Fela's political party
November 2020
TV tonight
TV tonight: Fela Kuti and the birth of afrobeat
A new film examines the Nigerian artist’s cultural identity and legacy of rhythmical protest. Plus: The Valhalla Murders begins. Here’s what to watch this evening
May 2020
'His drums were singing, you know?' Tony Allen remembered by his collaborators
Angelique Kidjo, Jeff Mills, Sebastien Tellier and more remember the late drummer: his humility, his brilliance, and his awesome sportswear
Tony Allen obituary
Masterful drummer and co-creator of Afrobeat, the fusion of funk, jazz and African styles that he pioneered with Fela Kuti
Tony Allen: the Afrobeat maverick who blazed a trail across the globe
Tony Allen: the Afrobeat pioneer's 10 finest recordings
Tony Allen, legendary drummer and Afrobeat co-founder, dies aged 79
March 2020
Tony Allen: Afrobeat’s master on Hugh Masekela, Damon Albarn and friction with Fela Kuti
As a lost album by Allen and Masekela is released, African’s finest drummer remembers the late trumpeter’s brilliant funk – and the chaotic militancy of his most famous partner
June 2019
Sergei Polunin/Rasputin; Royal Ballet; San Francisco Ballet; Kalakuta Republik – review
The Firebird gets a new lease of life, while Alexei Ratmansky’s inventive trilogy mixes Björk with Edith Wharton
April 2019
Record Store Day: 20 exclusive releases to look out for
Classic vinyl reissues, limited collectors’ editions and unreleased recordings from Fela Kuti, Prince and David Bowie join rare pressings by the Prodigy and the Notorious BIG this Saturday
February 2019
The illustrated city
'No place does me like Lagos' – a cartoon by Tayo Fatunla
The city has endured much through the years, but as cartoonist Tayo Fatunla grew up saying: ‘Eko oni baje’ or ‘Lagos cannot be destroyed’
