A renowned Nigerian drummer who pioneered world music and influenced musicians such as Carlos Santana, Mickey Hart, John Coltrane and Bob Dylan.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Olatunji was educated at Morehouse College in Atlanta and the New York University Graduate School. At Morehouse, he began performing informally, entertaining fellow students. As the demand for his music increased, he entered the professional music field.

In 1959, Columbia Records released Olatunji's first album, Drums of Passion, which became an unprecedented, worldwide smash hit. It was the first album to bring genuine African music to Western ears, and it went on to sell over 5 million copies. Olatunji travelled the world for 40 years spreading his music and African culture.

In the 1970s, he founded the Olatunji Center of African Culture in the heart of Harlem and was a member of the faculties at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California and the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York for almost 15 years. At these institutions, as well as at innumerable workshops and festivals, Olatunji continued to pursue his strong commitment to spreading knowledge of African culture through the teaching of traditional drumming, dancing and chanting.

Olatunji received a Grammy Award in 1991 for his collaboration with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart on their Planet Drum album. In addition, his composition Jingo Lo Ba has become a signature song for Santana. He also wrote a number of musical scores for Broadway shows and movies.

He died in April 2003 of complications from diabetes.