Legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been honored as the first African artist to receive a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, nearly three decades after his death in 1997. The award, announced by the Recording Academy, will be presented during the 2026 Grammy Awards.
This recognition symbolizes a reconciliation between Fela’s revolutionary music and the global music establishment, a relationship he often criticized during his lifetime. The award ceremony is scheduled for January 31 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, the day before the main Grammy event.
Fela’s influence spans generations and has significantly shaped modern Nigerian Afrobeats. The Academy noted his extensive catalog and impact, mentioning recent efforts to celebrate his legacy, including the podcast series “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man” and the Broadway production “Fela! The Musical.”
Seun Kuti, Fela’s son and leader of the band Egypt 80, expressed pride in the family’s legacy but lamented his inability to attend the ceremony due to travel restrictions. He emphasized the importance of unity within the music community rather than competition.
In his statement, Seun remarked:
“It’s a good day for African music, Afrobeat culture, and resistance music.”
Fela Kuti remains an enduring symbol of political and cultural resistance, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award cements his status as an iconic figure in global music history. The honor also follows the 2025 induction of his 1976 album “Zombie” into the Grammy Hall of Fame, further acknowledging his profound impact on music and society.
As Grammy weekend approaches, fans and artists around the world celebrate this long-overdue recognition of Fela’s contributions to music and culture.
