Babatunde Alaba has spent two decades proving that traditional percussion belongs everywhere, from Afrobeats anthems to global concert stages.
There’s a sound threaded through some of Nigeria’s biggest hits over the past decade, a rhythmic pulse that grounds Adekunle Gold’s “RODO,” a percussive conversation woven into tracks by Simi, Teni, and Asake. It’s the unmistakable voice of the talking drum, and behind it stands one man: Babatunde Alaba, better known as Alabama Georgia, Africa’s foremost Afrobeats talking drummer.
“Percussion personified” is how those in the industry describe him, and it’s not hyperbole. For over twenty years, Alabama has moved, breathed, and spoken through rhythm, fundamentally changing how percussion, particularly the talking drum, integrates into contemporary African music. What was once relegated to traditional settings now anchors chart-topping Afrobeats records, thanks largely to Alabama’s revolutionary approach.
Alabama’s journey began at age ten, when he first picked up percussion instruments and discovered an innate fluency with rhythm. That early start gave him decades to explore what he calls “the world of rhythm,” mastering virtually every percussive instrument he encountered. But it’s his unique relationship with the talking drum, the hourglass-shaped instrument that can mimic the tonal qualities of human speech, that has defined his legacy.
His breakthrough came through an intuition that seemed obvious in retrospect but was revolutionary at the time: the talking drum could blend seamlessly into any genre. “He has this unique way of making talking drum blend and sink into any genre of music,” colleagues note. It’s a skill that has made him indispensable to Nigeria’s music elite.
Scroll through the credits of Nigeria’s biggest tracks from the past decade, and Alabama Georgia’s name appears with striking frequency. He’s worked alongside legendary artists including Adekunle Gold, Simi, Teni, Asake, Darey, Pheelz, Yemi Alade, Chidinma, and Falz. His creative genius particularly shines through on Adekunle Gold’s “RODO,” where his percussion work isn’t just accompaniment, it’s conversation. Most notably, he recently became the first-ever talking drummer to appear on NPR’s Tiny Desk alongside Afrobeats superstar, Asake.
Behind the boards, he’s equally sought after by A-list producers. P. Priime, Pheelz, Oscar, Sessbeat, TeeYmix, Masterkraft, DJ Coublon, Seyifunmimichael, Yungwillis, VTek, Chillz, Bayomuzik, Gospelondebeat, and Legendarybeatz have all tapped Alabama’s skills, trusting his innate creativity and improvisation ingenuity to elevate their productions.
His versatility extends beyond the studio. For over a decade, Alabama served as lead percussionist on MTN Project Fame, West Africa’s premier music talent show, where his live performance skills and ability to adapt to any musical style helped shape the next generation of African artists.
Alabama’s influence reaches beyond music charts into Nigeria’s commercial consciousness. He’s the creative force behind percussion-driven brand jingles for Goldberg beer, Airtel Data, Maggi, and Peak Milk; campaigns where his rhythms became as recognisable as the products themselves. In corporate Nigeria, his sound equals sophistication and authenticity.
His talents have also crossed into film. He recently appeared in “Dust to Dream,” an Ebony Life TV production directed by Idris Elba, performing a club scene alongside superstar Seal, a testament to how his artistry transcends pure musicianship into cultural iconography.
While deeply rooted in African tradition, Alabama’s career has been decidedly global. His drum skills have taken him on tours across the USA, Canada, the UK, South Africa, and throughout Europe. On international stages, he serves as an ambassador for African percussion traditions, demonstrating their contemporary relevance to audiences worldwide.
This balance between tradition and innovation defines Alabama’s artistry. He hasn’t modernised the talking drum by diluting its essence; instead, he’s proven that the instrument’s traditional voice has always been contemporary, waiting for the right context to shine.
At a time when Afrobeats dominates global charts and African artists collaborate with international superstars, Alabama Georgia’s role feels more crucial than ever. He’s the keeper of tradition who made that tradition irresistible to modern ears. Every time a talking drum cuts through an Afrobeats track, it’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t require abandoning roots; sometimes, it means digging deeper into them.
Two decades in, with countless hits and an international reputation, Alabama Georgia remains what he’s always been: percussion personified, a creative genius who speaks through rhythm, and indeed, a true ambassador of the African drum. His legacy isn’t just the tracks he’s played on or the stages he’s graced, it’s the sonic revolution he led, proving that traditional instruments don’t need to be preserved in amber. In the right hands, they can define the sound of right now.
