Afrobeat pioneer and cultural icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has been awarded a major global honour nearly 30 years after his death.
The Recording Academy is set to confer a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award on the legendary Nigerian musician at the Grammy Awards, making Fela the first African to receive the prestigious recognition. The honour celebrates his enduring influence on global music, culture and political expression.
Reacting to the announcement, Fela’s son and fellow Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, described the moment as deeply significant.
“Fela has lived in the hearts of the people for such a long time. Now the Grammys have acknowledged that, and it feels like a double victory. It brings balance to the Fela story,” he said.
Rikki Stein, a former manager and long-time associate of the late singer, also welcomed the recognition, describing it as long overdue.
“For a long time, Africa wasn’t really on their radar. I think that is finally changing,” Stein said.
The award comes at a time of growing global interest in African music, driven largely by the worldwide success of Afrobeats — a modern genre whose foundations trace directly back to Fela’s Afrobeat sound.
In 2024, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, while Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has earned a nomination this year in the Best Global Music Album category.
Fela’s Lifetime Achievement Award places him alongside some of the most celebrated figures in music history. Past recipients include Bing Crosby, while this year’s honourees also include Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan and Paul Simon.
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Members of Fela’s family, friends and close associates are expected to attend the ceremony to receive the award on his behalf.
“The global human tapestry needs this recognition, not just because he’s my father,” Seun Kuti added.
Fela is widely regarded as more than a musician. He was a cultural philosopher, political activist and the creator of Afrobeat — a genre he developed alongside drummer Tony Allen by blending West African rhythms with jazz, funk and highlife, infused with long improvisations and sharply political lyrics.
Before his death in 1997, Fela released over 50 albums and became a fearless critic of power, often clashing with Nigeria’s military governments through his music and outspoken activism.
