Entertainment
Grammy Honours Fela Kuti with Lifetime Achievement Award, First African Recipient
Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has been posthumously awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy, nearly three decades after his death, marking a historic first for an African artist.
The BBC reported on Friday that the global music body will confer the prestigious honour on the late Nigerian icon at the Grammy Awards ceremony, recognising his enduring influence on music and culture worldwide.
Reacting to the announcement, Fela’s son and Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, described the recognition as a significant moment for his father’s legacy.
“Fela has been in the hearts of the people for such a long time. Now the Grammys have acknowledged it, and it’s a double victory. It’s bringing balance to a Fela story,” he said.
Rikki Stein, Fela’s former manager and long-time associate, also welcomed the award, noting that African music had long been overlooked in global music institutions.
“Africa hasn’t in the past rated very highly in their interests. I think that’s changing quite a bit of late,” Stein said.
According to the BBC, the honour comes amid a surge in global interest in African music, driven by the international success of Afrobeats—a genre rooted in Fela’s pioneering work. In 2024, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, while Nigerian singer Burna Boy received a nomination this year in the Best Global Music Album category.
Fela now joins a list of global music legends who have received the Lifetime Achievement Award, including Bing Crosby, Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, and Paul Simon. Members of his family, friends, and associates are expected to attend the ceremony to receive the award on his behalf.
“The global human tapestry needs this, not just because it’s my father,” Seun Kuti added.
The BBC described Fela as more than a musician, portraying him as a cultural philosopher, political activist, and the creator of Afrobeat. Alongside drummer Tony Allen, he developed the genre by blending West African rhythms with jazz, funk, and highlife, producing long improvisational tracks with politically charged lyrics.
During his career, which spanned until his death in 1997, Fela released over 50 albums and became a fierce critic of authority, frequently clashing with Nigeria’s military governments through his music and activism.
The award marks a milestone moment for African music, cementing Fela Kuti’s legacy as one of the most influential figures in global music history.
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