My sisters ex boyfriend who moved back to ghana about 2 years ago is in something called Afrikan Drum and he has over 20 people working for him, hes also doing something called king of the mic. I dont know if you guys know it
This is part of an instructional video on African drumming. Olatunji is a legend and has a wonderful spirit that comes through when he speaks. He's an amazing man.
Love djembe, spent long time in Guinea/Gambia. But to insult Baba not respectful of his achievements-wonderful recording Drums of Passion really brought WA drum to western ears,he popularised drumming, taught with love,got people drumming,having fun,loving the drum. I think you are doing this man a great disservice, underestimating the importance of his impact. Nigerian tradition uses different drums but your comment verges on snobbery. Don’t put it like that! Don’t like it ok. But don’t insult!
He was Nigerian. Nigeria does not have the djembe traditions of other regions, such as Mali, Sengal, or Guinea. This guy really was not a very great player; the beats in this video are very, very mind-numbingly simple...the type of stuff you'd hear at a crappy drum circle with a bunch of white hippies dancing really terribly. Listen to some real djembe from Mali to hear what great players are capable of.
@rantazz23 yes, there was an article somewhere that showed how westerners, specifically Canadians and Americans, have a very bad sense of rhythm. They compared their sense of rhythm to people from the Balkans (who are known for their complex rhythms) and they showed how the N. Americans had no idea what was going on, even when a rhythm got simpler or more complicated, while Balkan people had no problem at all.
Listen to popular western music: nothing but the same, retarded, simple rhythms.
@glorplaxy you should zip it. All the great players love and respect Baba. If you feel that the simpler rythyms are "mind numbing", you havent gone anywhere in your drumming.
@swamisnyc LOL, which "great players"? The fucking old hippie woman with henna drums at some lame ass drum circle? You know nothing about real djembe... Check out Petite Mamady or Harouna Dembele and you will realize that the rhythms in this video here are indeed mind-numbingly simple and bad. You obviously have gone nowhere in your drumming if you think just because some lame-ass hippie puts a funny hat on and speaks of "feeling" is a great player even when the rhythms suck.
@glorplaxy Have you ever played with dancers with anybody from Mali or Guinea? I dont think you even play djembe. You sound like a beginner with a bad attitude.
@swamisnyc LOL, you're going to try to say you've played with great players from Mali and Guinea and that they think THIS is some sort of example of great playing? Talk about a beginner. Wanna youtube battle it out? You post a vid and I'll post one.
@glorplaxy Baba was the first generation of drummers to come over and play in the West, so all the players have respect for him as an elder brother. If you played with the African community over here you would know that. His drumming is full of spirit; which is the essence and essential ingredient of African Drumming. Take your slick drumming to an African dance class in a city near you and see what reaction you get . Peace.
I had never been around a Djembe until I started attending our church. It is my favorite of the drums there. It's amazing how many different sounds you can get from just one drum, from Caribbean steel to bass.
I learned how to play djembe from this famous drummer's how-to videos & DVD's from local library. Here he is performing live, awesome talent. These guys are just awesome sounding, what passion. They've ruined me for the small head djembes though, LOL.
Im proud to be haitian ,this what my father gave me these skill,an i slept on it for years and have it still,when ever i touch the congas,good to be back where i belong,now lets make real music,
Im proud to be haitian ,this what my father gave me these skill,an i slept on it for years and have it still,when ever i touch the congas,good to be back where i belong,now lets make real music,
im proud to be haitian,this what my father gave me these skill,an i slept on it for years and have it still,when ever i touch the congas,good to be back where i belong,now lets make real music,
im proud to be haitian,this what my father gave me these skill,an i slept on it for years and have it still,when ever i touch the congas,good tobe back where i belong,now lets make real music,
Thanks for posting this vid. My all time favourite.
May God bless you Babatunde Olatunji for the gifts that you have bestowed upon the world and your efforts to make this world better. Much love and respect. R.I.P.
The man was schooling the two younger drummers. Watch how they look at each other. You are watching the way that valuable cultural traditions are transmitted. Beyond some excellent drumming, this video says something about what makes a man a cultured human being.
Beautiful, Djembe playing should be about the feeling it brings out and gives to both the player and the audience, not tecnics, this is soooooo primal and free, I adore it :)
Baba gets total respect from West African drummers, so all the self proclaimed "virtuosos" out there who can not appreciate the beauty of joyful, (slower=more traditional) djembe drumming, you just don't get it. I enjoy and play the faster urban style myself, but I also love this. Peace.
What can i say? I am absolutely amazed !!! I myself take congas and djembe lessions and only dream to play at least remotely like this great man!!! Babatunde FOREVA !!!!! FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE!!!
babatunde olatunji was one of the pioneers of bringing tradtional african music to the west in the 1970's. many modern drummers may have elaborated on the founding rhytms he established as will future drummers will elaborate on the rhythms we create today.
.that said disrespecting an ancestor and a person who has contributed so much to the art. only diminishes you as a musician many drummers were inspired by babatunde olatunji. in african culture we respect the elders for they are the roots upon which we thrive on. he has more than earned our respect Rest in peace Baba the voice of your drums will be spoken over generations
Do not diss Babatunde. He is the founder of many things and I would love to see many drummers keep it simple. You can learn lots from him rather that disrespect simplicity.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I don't understand the big fuss about this guy - maybe he has charisma, maybe he was a 'pioneer', but the drumming is not at all impressive - sounds like typical drum circle crap to me. And no, the technique is not very good - it's muddy and imprecise, and these are pretty simple rhythms. I could duplicate this with my beginner drum class in about an hour. Check out some REAL traditional djembe players from Guinea, Mali or Burkina Faso. All Baba did was appropriate stuff, and not well at that.
The djembe is an amazing instrument, as precise and evocative as a violin if you know how to play it properly. Most 'drummers' (and I use that term very loosely) are playing at the baby-talk level. Most of them have no idea how little they know. I do what I can to educate people, but sadly, few people are ever willing to make the effort or go the distance to REALLY learn to play. Still, if I can even educate people on how to LISTEN, and to hear the difference, then I'll consider it a success.
@archetypo I visited your youtube site, but could not know for sure that anything was YOU playing. Do you have a video out that can heard/listened to that features only or mainly you? You sound like you know your stuff, and I see where you are coming from with your comment. Djembe drumming is not my area of expertise--it's way different than conga. A video from YOU might share some much needed insight. BTW, djembedragon makes some valid points. I agree with them all.
@ManOfRhythm This is the way I see it: archetypo is comparing Babatunde with Malinke djembefolas like Famoudou Konate and Mamady Keita. While it's obvious Babatunde is not a vituoso soloist like Mamady and Famoudou it's also the case that he's not a Malinke djembefola. He was a Nigerian village musician from what I gather. I played with some Nigerians once and it was totally different to Malinke djembe. So I don't really see the point in comparing them. Let's not be evangelical about it!
but yo, why dont you post some videos up? i read your channel description and you sound like you have a huge ego, along with what you've posted here...i'll lay my shit down if you post a video that has half the soul and rhythm of this...i see a lot of players who talk shit about this stuff who cant hold a precise beat that feels right for even a minute. put up some vids.
@glorplaxy this is like comparing mike portnoy to clyde stubblefield. its a matter of taste. in any form of media theres people who prefer technique over soul and people who prefer soul over technique. you can keep your technical preciseness, i'll take the feeling
a true pioneer for sure, but has anyone studied what ethnic group Baba O. comes from? does anyone realize that djembe is from a different ethnic group than that?
I believe that Babatunde came from the Ewe people of Nigeria. The djembe is used all over West Africa and I'm not aware that it is exclusive of the region where Baba came from. He also played Ashiko, as seen here on his right, and at one time he played the smaller talking drum. But as fine a drummer as he was, he was even more regarded as a vocalist, which is not featured in this version of Fanga. A complex and inspirational figure to many, myself included.
I have found out that the djembe originally comes from the Mandingue ethnic group(the Mali empire), but is now played all over the place. Do you know which drums in the video are from Baba's region? I am extremely interested. thanks!
I know his language was Yoruba, and I suppose that you are right that his ethnicity was also. I guess that I'm not familiar with the distinction between Ewe and Yoruba as it refers to culture. I'll have to ask Akiwowo about that when I speak with him this weekend. Thanks for the reply.
I dont think so. there are lots of rhythms formerly played on other drums / even other instruments, that have been adapted to the djembe.
example; Yankadi-Macru is from the Susu, but we play it on djembe. Sorsonet is from the Baga but we play it on djembe. Bolonwi was traditionally only played on the Bolon, but is now played on djembe. I think as long as the history remains in tact, and we acknowledge the true roots of a rhythm, it can be adapted and played on other instruments.
Beautifiul sound of healing
WholisticByNature 21 hours ago
TIDY
TheTrilnp 1 day ago
I liked that badda badda bum bum part
asago 1 week ago
too much albino gene in the brother on the right
slushuf 1 week ago
@slushuf, How you figure? "Black" People come in all shades...ain't got nothing to do with no Crakkka!!!!!
Wisebrother78 1 week ago
the guy in the green
MelvinWren 2 weeks ago in playlist Babatunde Olatunji
i like when he hits the 2 drums at the same time.
MelvinatorX 2 weeks ago
just the first 7 seconds alone blew my mind.
MelvinatorX 2 weeks ago
My sisters ex boyfriend who moved back to ghana about 2 years ago is in something called Afrikan Drum and he has over 20 people working for him, hes also doing something called king of the mic. I dont know if you guys know it
lucy683a 2 weeks ago
More Cowbell!!!
superfly299 3 weeks ago
Love them....
hlus 1 month ago
they should play in TV!
Funmichi 1 month ago
The Weckl, Gadd and Royster Jr. of Africa..
gdrummer1234 2 months ago in playlist Drumming
How could anyone possibly dislike this?
jamstar444 2 months ago
AWESOME!
bossfrogprod 2 months ago
This is part of an instructional video on African drumming. Olatunji is a legend and has a wonderful spirit that comes through when he speaks. He's an amazing man.
PEACE
Eyemallfunkedup 2 months ago
how can you say weak! that was wonderful, and i cant stand drumming circles full of hippies!
bamdweche 2 months ago
danced 2 dis song....... still remember it
chocolateringpop 2 months ago
good bye BABA thanks for the good times.
hombreconaretes 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
THANKS TO THE LEG IN PURPLE
this helped us with our Africa project.
lkionk 2 months ago
I never knew Tinie Tempha was good at drumming !! : )
MrNerdGaming1 2 months ago
@MrNerdGaming1 Weak.
NarcoticBeats 2 months ago
I keep on listen this tune over and over again, and I never got tired of it. Gos bless Master Babatunde. Best regards from Guadalajara, Mexico.
Fabiocarton 2 months ago
Simple, groowy and beautifull. That's the way)
TheBailio 2 months ago
a shame he is not smiling ALL the time
jonaske13 2 months ago
He's blind.... smiling is irrelevant.
BajaJill 2 months ago
Love djembe, spent long time in Guinea/Gambia. But to insult Baba not respectful of his achievements-wonderful recording Drums of Passion really brought WA drum to western ears,he popularised drumming, taught with love,got people drumming,having fun,loving the drum. I think you are doing this man a great disservice, underestimating the importance of his impact. Nigerian tradition uses different drums but your comment verges on snobbery. Don’t put it like that! Don’t like it ok. But don’t insult!
kouranko 3 months ago
i remember seeing these guys preform, and they were awesome
pyrotech8285 3 months ago
It's like home is callin' me ! it's not about your skin color, it's about your SOUL !
Peace
One
LadyDi66xx 3 months ago
Some of y'all are rude I play the djembe great drums
ikoroaj 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
im in that weird part of youtube again...
littleduderockz 3 months ago
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LOL niggers don't wanna work, they just want to bang on the drum all day!
RAYJENKTY 3 months ago
DRUM N BASS! LOL
Firestorm989 3 months ago
He was Nigerian. Nigeria does not have the djembe traditions of other regions, such as Mali, Sengal, or Guinea. This guy really was not a very great player; the beats in this video are very, very mind-numbingly simple...the type of stuff you'd hear at a crappy drum circle with a bunch of white hippies dancing really terribly. Listen to some real djembe from Mali to hear what great players are capable of.
glorplaxy 4 months ago
@glorplaxy lol this is kinda true...but you know simple rhythms like this are veryyyyy pleasing to the western ear
when it gets to polyrhythms they just think it's "banging"
LMAO ur comment was cold though
rantazz23 3 months ago
@rantazz23 yes, there was an article somewhere that showed how westerners, specifically Canadians and Americans, have a very bad sense of rhythm. They compared their sense of rhythm to people from the Balkans (who are known for their complex rhythms) and they showed how the N. Americans had no idea what was going on, even when a rhythm got simpler or more complicated, while Balkan people had no problem at all.
Listen to popular western music: nothing but the same, retarded, simple rhythms.
glorplaxy 3 months ago
@glorplaxy you should zip it. All the great players love and respect Baba. If you feel that the simpler rythyms are "mind numbing", you havent gone anywhere in your drumming.
swamisnyc 3 days ago
@swamisnyc LOL, which "great players"? The fucking old hippie woman with henna drums at some lame ass drum circle? You know nothing about real djembe... Check out Petite Mamady or Harouna Dembele and you will realize that the rhythms in this video here are indeed mind-numbingly simple and bad. You obviously have gone nowhere in your drumming if you think just because some lame-ass hippie puts a funny hat on and speaks of "feeling" is a great player even when the rhythms suck.
glorplaxy 3 days ago
@glorplaxy Have you ever played with dancers with anybody from Mali or Guinea? I dont think you even play djembe. You sound like a beginner with a bad attitude.
swamisnyc 3 days ago
@swamisnyc LOL, you're going to try to say you've played with great players from Mali and Guinea and that they think THIS is some sort of example of great playing? Talk about a beginner. Wanna youtube battle it out? You post a vid and I'll post one.
glorplaxy 3 days ago
@glorplaxy Baba was the first generation of drummers to come over and play in the West, so all the players have respect for him as an elder brother. If you played with the African community over here you would know that. His drumming is full of spirit; which is the essence and essential ingredient of African Drumming. Take your slick drumming to an African dance class in a city near you and see what reaction you get . Peace.
swamisnyc 2 days ago
One of the best drumming videos to watch! amazing God Bless
onespiritful1 4 months ago 32
I was fortunate enough to see Baba Olatunji perform 2 times in college and meet him. Unfortunately he passed away in 2003.
yungoe 4 months ago
Come to America and teach us how to drum.
SHSATNewYork 5 months ago
@PurpleGorrilah LOL I NO RITE OBVIOUSLY IF THEY DON TLIKE WHAT YOU LIKE THEY ARE FUKING RETARDED RITE?????? LLOLOL UR SO SMART
Grundalizer 5 months ago
Nice drumbeats! I love the sound of drums.
HunterTiger2100 5 months ago
great drums!
MagicalSunrise1984 5 months ago
Awesome
DjembeLex 5 months ago
I had never been around a Djembe until I started attending our church. It is my favorite of the drums there. It's amazing how many different sounds you can get from just one drum, from Caribbean steel to bass.
LesPaulExpress 5 months ago
This video show BONES playing the drums just before he has sex with his husband.
oobenoob 5 months ago
@oobenoob WHAT???
deethecat5 4 months ago
@deethecat5
Don't worry...oob's mommy will be along to pick him anytime now...
emncaity 4 months ago
That must have been an honor to play with Mr. Olatunji
ThePublicEnemyNo1 5 months ago
that guy in the purple looks like B.B. King
TheHurff 6 months ago
@TheHurff He, does but, he was old enough in this video to be Mr. Kings father...lol.
ThePublicEnemyNo1 5 months ago
where's the weed yo...
MaximusDisplay 6 months ago
wonderfull..... from djembesupplier +6281703553601
djembejimbe 6 months ago
great sound, classic rhythm and I could listen and play with over and over
jimglennz 6 months ago
pretty awesome
Bob8199 6 months ago
BRAVO!!!
Lusirossianka 6 months ago
I learned how to play djembe from this famous drummer's how-to videos & DVD's from local library. Here he is performing live, awesome talent. These guys are just awesome sounding, what passion. They've ruined me for the small head djembes though, LOL.
gmj2012 6 months ago
Comment removed
gmj2012 6 months ago
o O o O F l o w e r P o w e r O o O o
oOoOflowerpowerOoOo 6 months ago
Fabulous. Enjoyed every moment.
june3588 6 months ago
Amazing!
miss3v3lyn 7 months ago
i met babtunde and drums r awesome!!nuff said.
desireejoyorozco 7 months ago
That is Sikiru.. I believe on the Gong "Agogo" he was a talking drum player himself..
sambaboy77 7 months ago
who knew this would be the sweetest thing ever?
foolsauce420 7 months ago
massive sound
zejo14 7 months ago
Great hand drumming God Bess
onespiritful1 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
THis is the " Rock Rhythm" not Fanga!
zorinalight 8 months ago
THis is the " Rock Rhythm" not Fanga>
zorinalight 8 months ago
eré un grande de la musica, un atista! Feliidades che!
TheWalkingKillers 8 months ago
Music truly crosses all borders !! No wonder Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev took off his shoes and danced !! Great !!!
ultimategurumusic 8 months ago
African rave!!
delatroy 8 months ago
Soooooo smooth!
snapperhead2 9 months ago
e un grande
lucazambo1 9 months ago
Great rhythms, guys! But 23 people who watched this have NO passion for life.
25411959 9 months ago
i come back to this video in my favs every now and then just to listen-never will get old. one of the masters
ididntbitem 10 months ago
sickkk this is real
Alleycandio28 10 months ago
A great performance that will last forever God Bless
onespiritful1 10 months ago 19
It needs more cowbell!!!
iggac 11 months ago 2
I keep coming back to this clip. I love it. A lesson in drum composition.
AlmostEthical 11 months ago
they look so chill playing but i wanna groove so hard
Claudestclaire 11 months ago
Sanga Of The Valley to the right
ClipLover357 11 months ago
Ive played this rhythm many times on the Djembe. Ive always called the Welcome Beat. Wonderful music
EliraEarth 11 months ago
this one frees my soul and spirit.
Kell1295 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
this is pretty good stuff! check out my channel for some more awesome beats!
Konradical10 1 year ago
SORRY I PUT IT IN TO MANY TIMES
rapheallevite 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Im proud to be haitian ,this what my father gave me these skill,an i slept on it for years and have it still,when ever i touch the congas,good to be back where i belong,now lets make real music,
this real home ,love it
rapheallevite 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Im proud to be haitian ,this what my father gave me these skill,an i slept on it for years and have it still,when ever i touch the congas,good to be back where i belong,now lets make real music,
this real home ,love it
rapheallevite 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
im proud to be haitian,this what my father gave me these skill,an i slept on it for years and have it still,when ever i touch the congas,good to be back where i belong,now lets make real music,
this real home ,love it
rapheallevite 1 year ago
im proud to be haitian,this what my father gave me these skill,an i slept on it for years and have it still,when ever i touch the congas,good tobe back where i belong,now lets make real music,
this real home ,love it
rapheallevite 1 year ago
Dance
QueenWoryeneh 1 year ago
gotta have more cowbell
Andyuino 1 year ago
That's awesome . It is awesome how there are so many types of music in the world.
JFAcoustic 1 year ago
typical drummers, always speeding up....
mrfunkybird 1 year ago
look at the eyes of the grand po pure lion
borsecrosu 1 year ago
these guys are awesomeeeee
masher9999 1 year ago
You can hear were music was born.nice 1
greensuit7 1 year ago
Proud to be African.
brownieblush 1 year ago 2
These Africans are so chill.
Eagmr 1 year ago 23
What year?
MeSmokeWeed 1 year ago
@PurpleGorrilah
Heard that.
emncaity 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this vid. My all time favourite.
May God bless you Babatunde Olatunji for the gifts that you have bestowed upon the world and your efforts to make this world better. Much love and respect. R.I.P.
gladalive 1 year ago
Change of rhythm is amazing, flow from one to another. Follow the Master is the Key, Harmonic Law.
Almichael54 1 year ago
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Almichael54 1 year ago
Comment removed
Almichael54 1 year ago
@roselyre drums speak to the soul
abaddon1112 1 year ago
daaammmn this beat is down, much love to these musicians :D
ogkrilla 1 year ago
This how it should be!! Superb!!
AtamanashiDrummer 1 year ago
Amazing soul trip!!!!
PremierLegend 1 year ago
freaking rockin!!! <3 awesome jam.
bkimball13 1 year ago
Amazing....
Friendship greetings
I live in Sentul, Bogor - West Java (INDONESIA)
arriedemarco 1 year ago
the master
monacaba 1 year ago
The man was schooling the two younger drummers. Watch how they look at each other. You are watching the way that valuable cultural traditions are transmitted. Beyond some excellent drumming, this video says something about what makes a man a cultured human being.
leftysergeant 1 year ago
R.I.P. Babatunde. Master of Djembe!
punk48livac 1 year ago
So, richtig zum enspannen....Gell Drea?
Qurra668 1 year ago
otimo que bom ter postado !!
naicromance 1 year ago
I miss Baba. I saw him at S.O.B's (Sounds of Brazil for those who may not know). He was and is so inspiring.
nodlew1943 1 year ago
This is why I like black people.
MrJeekz 1 year ago
Very nice.
loonpolice1 1 year ago
Very beautiful indeed. This is great music in it's pureist form. The Bro's. are definately gifted in their craft ( Musicianship )
MrMannM1 1 year ago
very hypnotic
Scede 1 year ago
is all about that tac taca tac tacac or something lol
santisimos 1 year ago
thats hardcore
cydc08 1 year ago
like very spiritual son music
boibrasileiro 1 year ago
good & great..ciao
zioband 1 year ago
Sanga of the Valley ..Sikiru....and Baba !!! Yes ..thank you !
johnnycoyo 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This is one of my favorites to play and is wonderful to see it performed by a master.
Great video, many thanks.
EponaWillow 1 year ago
This is one of my favorites to play and is wonderful to see it performed by a master.
Great video, many thanks.
EponaWillow 1 year ago 3
This is so great! The world needs more music like this, and certainly more musicians like this.
DrummerCoCa 1 year ago
Baba looks stoned, Ashe!
jugglerjohn 1 year ago
Beautiful, Djembe playing should be about the feeling it brings out and gives to both the player and the audience, not tecnics, this is soooooo primal and free, I adore it :)
DeafCoustics 1 year ago 4
Baba gets total respect from West African drummers, so all the self proclaimed "virtuosos" out there who can not appreciate the beauty of joyful, (slower=more traditional) djembe drumming, you just don't get it. I enjoy and play the faster urban style myself, but I also love this. Peace.
swamisnyc 1 year ago 3
Baba...umbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
grandioso!!!!!
Jorrorizado 1 year ago
really feeling it
mIKe3z 1 year ago
They're obviously enjoying themselves... Just see the smile at the rastafari brother's face!
acromiton 1 year ago 3
I love this video. One of my favourites on youtube.
Djembefella 1 year ago
Fantastic!!! Bravo!!! ♫ ♪ ♫
maggyville 1 year ago
Ive watched this so many times. love it!
casketcrewchick 1 year ago
cool hat!
PannkakorArGoda 1 year ago
this guy is the chuck norris of djeembes XD
ZupraVisor 1 year ago
BRAVO!!!! I could jam to this all night long.
scorepyo 1 year ago 2
Wow!
WildeNotesMusic 1 year ago
This style of drummin sound svery Yoruba,(Nigerian), Senegalese/Malian drumming is quite different from the Nigerian style
quepasa3000 1 year ago
Took my first drumming lesson. Not as easy as it looks!!! Kind of felt like I was in a Tarzan movie!! I love it!!!!
redmaj1 2 years ago
You said it Miami!!
redmaj1 2 years ago
increible
enfoques21 2 years ago
the guy in middle looks cool when he hits the 2 drums at the same time!
gillenpantera 2 years ago
What can i say? I am absolutely amazed !!! I myself take congas and djembe lessions and only dream to play at least remotely like this great man!!! Babatunde FOREVA !!!!! FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE!!!
Fandorin72 2 years ago
babatunde olatunji was one of the pioneers of bringing tradtional african music to the west in the 1970's. many modern drummers may have elaborated on the founding rhytms he established as will future drummers will elaborate on the rhythms we create today.
MiamiAfricanDrummer 2 years ago
.that said disrespecting an ancestor and a person who has contributed so much to the art. only diminishes you as a musician many drummers were inspired by babatunde olatunji. in african culture we respect the elders for they are the roots upon which we thrive on. he has more than earned our respect Rest in peace Baba the voice of your drums will be spoken over generations
MiamiAfricanDrummer 2 years ago 3
lol at 2:55 his face is soo funny
pimpo911 2 years ago
let go of your ego... everyone has a unique rhythm...
consciousbodyyoga 2 years ago
Do not diss Babatunde. He is the founder of many things and I would love to see many drummers keep it simple. You can learn lots from him rather that disrespect simplicity.
WataSunMusic 2 years ago
What a great rich beat! Not overly complex but it has a nice soul to it.
djembedragon 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I don't understand the big fuss about this guy - maybe he has charisma, maybe he was a 'pioneer', but the drumming is not at all impressive - sounds like typical drum circle crap to me. And no, the technique is not very good - it's muddy and imprecise, and these are pretty simple rhythms. I could duplicate this with my beginner drum class in about an hour. Check out some REAL traditional djembe players from Guinea, Mali or Burkina Faso. All Baba did was appropriate stuff, and not well at that.
archetypo 2 years ago
Comment removed
glorplaxy 2 years ago
The djembe is an amazing instrument, as precise and evocative as a violin if you know how to play it properly. Most 'drummers' (and I use that term very loosely) are playing at the baby-talk level. Most of them have no idea how little they know. I do what I can to educate people, but sadly, few people are ever willing to make the effort or go the distance to REALLY learn to play. Still, if I can even educate people on how to LISTEN, and to hear the difference, then I'll consider it a success.
archetypo 2 years ago
@archetypo I visited your youtube site, but could not know for sure that anything was YOU playing. Do you have a video out that can heard/listened to that features only or mainly you? You sound like you know your stuff, and I see where you are coming from with your comment. Djembe drumming is not my area of expertise--it's way different than conga. A video from YOU might share some much needed insight. BTW, djembedragon makes some valid points. I agree with them all.
ManOfRhythm 2 years ago
@ManOfRhythm This is the way I see it: archetypo is comparing Babatunde with Malinke djembefolas like Famoudou Konate and Mamady Keita. While it's obvious Babatunde is not a vituoso soloist like Mamady and Famoudou it's also the case that he's not a Malinke djembefola. He was a Nigerian village musician from what I gather. I played with some Nigerians once and it was totally different to Malinke djembe. So I don't really see the point in comparing them. Let's not be evangelical about it!
djembeweaver 10 months ago
but yo, why dont you post some videos up? i read your channel description and you sound like you have a huge ego, along with what you've posted here...i'll lay my shit down if you post a video that has half the soul and rhythm of this...i see a lot of players who talk shit about this stuff who cant hold a precise beat that feels right for even a minute. put up some vids.
julescoltrane 2 years ago
@julescoltrane--
You said it. I'm waiting too.
emncaity 2 years ago
Comment removed
glorplaxy 2 years ago
@glorplaxy this is like comparing mike portnoy to clyde stubblefield. its a matter of taste. in any form of media theres people who prefer technique over soul and people who prefer soul over technique. you can keep your technical preciseness, i'll take the feeling
julescoltrane 2 years ago 24
I agree with this.
opus88888 1 year ago
@julescoltrane Give me the technical
InfoRoom 6 months ago
holyshit this is GOOD
PatabookG5 2 years ago
Something weird about Djembe, it has a weird attraction to me (and many others obviously)
termis69 2 years ago
amazing
slashmaster14 2 years ago
Great performance..period
alicecasa427 2 years ago
RIP BABA
TYPHOONATHLETE96 2 years ago
True
Zolotov86 2 years ago
a true pioneer for sure, but has anyone studied what ethnic group Baba O. comes from? does anyone realize that djembe is from a different ethnic group than that?
makeme400 2 years ago
I believe that Babatunde came from the Ewe people of Nigeria. The djembe is used all over West Africa and I'm not aware that it is exclusive of the region where Baba came from. He also played Ashiko, as seen here on his right, and at one time he played the smaller talking drum. But as fine a drummer as he was, he was even more regarded as a vocalist, which is not featured in this version of Fanga. A complex and inspirational figure to many, myself included.
BackCarePlus 2 years ago
I have found out that the djembe originally comes from the Mandingue ethnic group(the Mali empire), but is now played all over the place. Do you know which drums in the video are from Baba's region? I am extremely interested. thanks!
makeme400 2 years ago
Babatunde is yoruba
nigerianplaya74 2 years ago
I know his language was Yoruba, and I suppose that you are right that his ethnicity was also. I guess that I'm not familiar with the distinction between Ewe and Yoruba as it refers to culture. I'll have to ask Akiwowo about that when I speak with him this weekend. Thanks for the reply.
BackCarePlus 2 years ago
Yoruba, I believe. Does it matter that he is playing a djembe on Fanga?
jaibeyks 2 years ago
@jaibeyks
I dont think so. there are lots of rhythms formerly played on other drums / even other instruments, that have been adapted to the djembe.
example; Yankadi-Macru is from the Susu, but we play it on djembe. Sorsonet is from the Baga but we play it on djembe. Bolonwi was traditionally only played on the Bolon, but is now played on djembe. I think as long as the history remains in tact, and we acknowledge the true roots of a rhythm, it can be adapted and played on other instruments.
makeme400 2 years ago 2
hehehehehe i luv dis :P
XoXoXcookiechickXoXo 2 years ago