Fela Kuti to Receive Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Becomes First African Honouree

Nigeria’s Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti will be posthumously honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award this weekend, becoming the first African artist to receive the prestigious distinction.

The recognition comes nearly three decades after his death in 1997 and long after his music reshaped the global soundscape. Fela is among several legendary artists set to be honoured at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday, ahead of the main Grammy Awards gala.

Other recipients include Cher, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon and Chaka Khan.

Pioneer of Afrobeat

In the 1970s, the multi-instrumentalist and charismatic performer created Afrobeat, blending jazz, funk and traditional African rhythms. The genre later laid the foundation for Afrobeats, which has gained worldwide popularity by fusing African sounds with contemporary pop influences, particularly from Nigeria.

In 2024, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, which has since been dominated by Afrobeats artists. Of this year’s five nominees, three are Nigerian singers, following Tems’ win last year.

“Fela’s influence spans generations, inspiring artists such as Beyoncé, Paul McCartney and Thom Yorke, and shaping modern Nigerian Afrobeats,” the Grammys said in its citation.

Enduring Legacy

Known as the “Black President,” Fela was not only a musical icon but also a fierce political activist who frequently clashed with Nigeria’s military regimes. His outspoken, anti-corruption songs and albums, including the landmark Zombie (1974), often drew the ire of authorities, leading to repeated arrests.

Despite facing persecution, his legacy has endured through his sons, Femi and Seun Kuti, and his grandson, Made Kuti, all of whom continue to carry forward the Afrobeat tradition.

“This acknowledgment coming at a time when all three of us are active feels wonderful,” Made Kuti told AFP. “We’re still practising Afrobeat and taking the legacy as far as we can.”

‘Better Late Than Never’

Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, Fela’s first cousin and head of the family, described the award as a celebration for Africa.

“It is a celebration for African people. Another African is being honoured,” she said, while urging award-giving bodies not to wait until artists have passed away to recognise them.

Reflecting on how Fela might have reacted, she added, “I’m sure he would have said, ‘Better late than never,’ although he was never particularly interested in Western recognition during his lifetime.”

Renewed Global Interest

Fela’s former manager, Rikki Stein, said the award would further boost interest in the late musician’s vast catalogue of more than 50 albums.

“An increasing number of people who weren’t even born when Fela died are now discovering his music and his message,” Stein said. “This recognition will significantly uplift his legacy.”

With the Grammy honour, Fela Kuti’s revolutionary sound and political voice continue to resonate with new generations around the world.