PROFILE: Micheal Babatunde– A groundbreaking Nigerian Percussionist

 By Victor Olubiye

Michael Babatunde Olatunji was a groundbreaking Nigerian percussionist who played a vital role in bringing African music to the global stage. 

Born in Ajido, near Badagry in Lagos State, Nigeria, in 1927, Olatunji moved to the United States in 1950 after receiving a Rotary International scholarship to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He later continued his studies at New York University.

In 1959, Olatunji released his debut album, Drums of Passion, under Columbia Records.

This album was revolutionary—it was one of the first to introduce traditional African drumming and rhythms to Western audiences in a commercially successful format. It blended Yoruba chants with complex polyrhythms and quickly became a sensation, selling over five million copies.

The album’s opening track, "Jin-go-lo-ba," became especially popular and was later covered by several artists, most notably by Latin rock legend Carlos Santana, who reimagined it as “Jingo” on his 1969 debut album.

Olatunji’s influence extended far beyond the music industry. In 1965, he founded the Olatunji Center of African Culture in Harlem, New York City. The center became a hub for African cultural education, offering classes in African dance, drumming, and history. It was also a gathering place for artists and activists, including figures in the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. Olatunji’s drumming became a powerful tool for cultural pride and political resistance, aligning with the rise of Black consciousness in America.

His collaborations were many and varied—he worked with jazz greats like John Coltrane and Max Roach, and his percussive style influenced artists across genres, from jazz to rock. Through his music, teachings, and activism, Babatunde Olatunji not only preserved African traditions but also transformed the global appreciation for African culture.

He passed away in 2003, but his legacy lives on through the rhythms he shared and the cultural bridges he built.