Fela Kuti’s Legacy Crowned with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

In a landmark moment for African music and cultural history, the legendary Nigerian musician and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, making him the first African artist ever to receive this prestigious honour from The Recording Academy.

The announcement, made public on 19 December 2025, confirms that Fela will be recognised at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony on 31 January 2026, during Grammy Week, a day before the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. He’ll be celebrated alongside other music icons like Whitney Houston, Paul Simon, Cher, Chaka Khan and Carlos Santana.

A Pioneer of Afrobeat and Cultural Expression

Born in 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Fela Kuti revolutionised global music by inventing Afrobeat, a dynamic genre that blends funk, jazz, highlife, and traditional African rhythms. As a bandleader, producer and multi-instrumentalist, his sound was as vibrant and complex as the political messages interwoven through his lyrics.

Fela’s music was never just for entertainment,  it was a tool for resistance and socio-political commentary. He fearlessly challenged military rule and corruption in Nigeria, notably through tracks like “Zombie” and “Sorrow, Tears and Blood”. His open critique of authoritarian regimes made him a controversial figure during his lifetime, and he endured repeated arrests, brutal attacks and the tragic death of his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, after a raid on his Kalakuta Republic compound in 1977.

Although Fela never received a Grammy during his lifetime, his influence has only grown since his death in 1997. In 2025, his seminal album Zombie was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a precursor to this year’s Lifetime Achievement accolade.

The Lifetime Achievement Award honours artists whose creative contributions have had a lasting impact on the music world. Fela’s recognition places him among a revered group of musical legends whose work reshaped genres and inspired generations.

Fela’s legacy transcends music. As a cultural icon and political voice, he helped pave the way for future African artists on the global stage. His music continues to influence modern Afrobeats and artists worldwide, while celebrations like Felabration an annual festival in Lagos to keep his spirit alive.

Family members, including his sons Femi and Seun Kuti, have carried his musical torch, building on his foundation and introducing Afrobeat to younger audiences across continents.

This historic Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award not only honours Fela’s enduring impact but also marks a significant milestone for African representation in global music awards. It signals recognition of Africa’s vital contributions to the world’s cultural tapestry and could open doors for future generations of African musicians on the world stage.

As the music world looks forward to Grammy Week in early 2026, Fela Kuti’s posthumous honour is set to be a celebratory moment not just for Nigeria, but for Africa and the global African diaspora.