Tony Allen to be posthumously honoured with Outstanding Contribution to Music award

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Tony Allen will be posthumously honoured with Association of Independent Music (AIM)’s Outstanding Contribution to Music award.

The Nigerian afrobeat pioneer, most widely known as the drummer and musical director in Fela Kuti’s band, Africa ’70, passed away in May this year, and will be honoured with the posthumous accolade at the AIM Awards later this year.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Allen didn’t learn to play the drums until he was 18, and would join Africa ’70 in 1968, with Allen and Kuti going on to record over 30 albums before he left the collective in 1979. He went on to collaborate with artists including Jeff Mills and Sébastien Tellier, as well as Damon Albarn, Paul Simonon, and Simon Tong, as The Good, the Bad & the Queen.

The virtual 21st edition of the AIM Awards 2020 will take place in August, celebrating industry-leading creativity, innovation and performance shown by independent artists, labels and oustanding individuals. Nominated for other awards at the event are the likes of Digga D, Floating Points and Flying Lotus, as well as AJ Tracey, Greentea Peng, and Idles. 

Check out the full list of nominees for awards here.