Ginger Baker
British drummer (Cream, Blind Faith) who moved to Lagos in the early 1970s and became instrumental in bringing Afrobeat to Western rock audiences. Assembled and ran a multitrack studio in Lagos from 1972-1973, working mostly with Fela Kuti and his Africa '70 band. Recorded with Fela on *Stratavarious* (1972) and released *Fela Ransome Kuti and Africa 70 with Ginger Baker Live!* (1971), recorded at the Berlin Jazz Festival. Baker's involvement gave Fela credibility with European and American audiences who knew Cream but had never heard of Africa '70. Cultural appropriation running both directions: Baker absorbing Afrobeat's polyrhythms, Fela absorbing Baker's international audience. Left Lagos in 1973 but the collaboration cracked open the door for Afrobeat to reach beyond Nigeria.