Tatalo Alamu, whose real name is Atinsola Lamidi Alamu, was born into a family of entertainers at Opopoyeosa Ajalaruru Compound in Ibadan, the biggest metropolis in West Africa. Even though his father was a talking drummer, Alamu had a distinct drumming style from an early age that distinguished him from his peers. He had a unique method of communicating through his talking drum and displayed a variety of facial emotions and gestures while delivering praise songs. His body was totally involved during the performance. His musical career started with the classic solo pattern of talking drummers visiting wealthy customers’ homes to elicit their admiration. Alamu changed this strategy in the early 1970s, though, by creating organised ensembles that followed the format of juju and highlife artists who had started their own bands. He was one of the first talking drummers to use this new, popular approach. On the recommendation of Omo Aje (later known as Babalaje), who advised him to concentrate on drumming while selecting a vocalist, Alamu first worked with vocalist Amuda Agboluaje. However, disagreements over band leadership and revenue sharing amongst talking drum and sekere players caused them to split up when success brought financial incentives. After that, Alamu stood alone and became an immediate hit by fusing his innate singing ability with his drumming prowess. The Dundun music style, which fused philosophical Yoruba ideas with traditional African drumming, was pioneered and popularised by Tatalo Alamu. During a remarkable feat that was part of his unique performance style, he would toss his talking drum into the air and catch it with ease while still playing. Like Ayinla Omowura, he was very hard to mimic because of his ability to switch between high pitch, bass, soprano, and midrange tones in his voice. His most popular albums include “Igba Irawo” which showcased his remarkable memory for names and praise chants, “Oro Ibadan”, where he condensed Ibadan history into compelling verses “Afidikale Ni” and “Orin Ju Orin Lo’. These recordings demonstrated his mastery of traditional praise singing and his encyclopedic knowledge of Yoruba genealogies and heroic deeds, all performed without written notes. Tatalo Alamu was signed to Babalaje Records, which was founded by the late Olubadan Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji Ajeoguguluso I, who also discovered and promoted other renowned singers such as Dauda Akanmu Epo-Akara, Wasiu Ayinde K1, and Sule Alao Malaika. Under this label, he became Ibadan’s most popular talking drummer, with celebrities and socialites especially asking his services for their events. His accomplishment made him enormously wealthy, allowing him to live a lavish lifestyle that included multiple Peugeot vehicles, civilian buses, and numerous buildings in desirable Ibadan neighbourhoods. He was best renowned for his pricey gold jewellery and exquisite wearing style. However, his success enraged enemies, who plotted against him by planting a dead body at his home. The subsequent litigation momentarily destroyed his career, requiring him to sell multiple homes to fund his legal defence. Following his acquittal and discharge, Alamu released numerous successful records and proceeded to tour Nigeria and West Africa. He maintained contacts with notable persons such as Alaafin Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi III and Oloye Olusola Saraki, who were significant supporters of his music. Tatalo Alamu died on March 8, 1985, leaving behind a legacy that elevated talking drumming from a simple house-to-house solicitation to a complex entertainment form. His effect was so profound that the Dundun genre perished with him, as his distinct vocal powers and acting manner were hard to reproduce. He was the uncle of Abass Akande Obesere, a prominent Fuji musician who carried on the family’s musical history through generations