Drummers You Should Know (Part 8): Anika Nilles
Here's Part 8 in the series of articles written by the tutors and learners at Elephant Drums about drummers that have been inspirational to them. A couple of our long-term students have suggested some more drummers to add to the list, so we asked them if they would like to contribute an article to the blog. It gives a personal perspective on influential drummers that have been a part of the drum-learning journey!
Anika Nilles by Sophie T
Anika Nilles
When I first discovered Anika Nilles on YouTube a few years ago, I was mesmerised. Her grooves, her compositions ... they felt like a new language. I played some basic drums when I was a teenager but seeing Anika play sent me straight back to the practice room with a fresh determination to learn drums again.
As someone who loves structure but also loves to break free creatively, Anika’s drumming spoke to me.
What Makes Her Unique
Anika’s use of polyrhtyhms and odd time signatures is fascinating. Tracks like Chary Life feel effortless and groovy, and songs like Mallay are funky and brain-teasing. Watching her videos has been like taking an unofficial masterclass, especially when it comes to incorporating odd note groups and polyrthmic ideas.
Anika’s journey is also inspiring because she’s gone from being self-taught to an in-demand teacher herself. It’s a great reminder that no matter where you start, passion and perseverance can lead to incredible things.
If you want to dive into her music, I recommend her album Pikalar. It’s a masterpiece IMHO.
Why I've chosen Anika as my "Drummer You Should Know"
I work as a graphic designer, so creativity has always been a big part of who I am. When I started drumming, I didn’t expect that same creative energy to flow into it but it did completely. At first, I saw drumming as something physical, almost like a release from staring at screens all day. But over time I realised it’s also deeply creative. It’s about shapes, movement, and flow.... just like design!
And Anika Nilles really opened my eyes to that realisation. Watching her play made me realise that drumming can be both artistic and technical, precise yet expressive. Her grooves feel like design compositions.... balanced, intricate, and full of intention. That connection really resonated with me.
Now, when I sit at the kit, I approach it almost like I would a blank canvas. I think about structure and contrast. Like where to add colour and where to leave space. My drum tutor encourages me to experiment with different time signatures and textures, which has made practice sessions much more exciting.
Drumming has become my creative outlet in a completely different way from my job. It’s a space where I can play, explore, and make mistakes freely. Every time I watch Anika perform it reminds me why I started drumming... to create something unique for the joy of it!
About Elephant Drums
Drum Lessons in London
Elephant Drums is London's independent collective of drum teachers.
For information about drum lessons, workshops and events visit www.elephantdrums.co.uk/drum-tuition/
