Fela Kuti honoured as first African to receive Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has been posthumously recognised with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy, becoming the first African artist to receive the honour.
According to a BBC report on Friday, the Grammy organisers will officially present the award at the upcoming ceremony in celebration of Fela’s enduring influence on global music and culture.
Reacting to the announcement, Fela’s son and fellow Afrobeat star, Seun Kuti, described the recognition as deeply meaningful.
“Fela has always lived in the hearts of the people. Now the Grammys have finally acknowledged that impact. It feels like a double victory — a restoration of balance to his story,” he said.
Rikki Stein, a former manager and longtime associate of the late musician, also welcomed the honour, noting that global institutions had historically overlooked African contributions.
“Africa wasn’t always high on their radar, but that is changing now,” Stein remarked.
The BBC noted that Fela’s recognition comes at a time when African music is enjoying unprecedented global attention, largely driven by the worldwide success of Afrobeats — a modern genre deeply rooted in the foundations Fela laid.
In 2024, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, while Nigerian superstar Burna Boy earned a nomination this year for Best Global Music Album.
Fela now joins an elite group of music legends who have received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Past recipients include Bing Crosby, with this year’s honourees also featuring Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, and Paul Simon.
Family members, close friends, and associates of the late icon are expected to attend the ceremony to accept the award on his behalf.
“The world needs this recognition — not just because he was my father, but because of what his work represents globally,” Seun Kuti added.
Beyond his music, Fela was widely regarded as a cultural revolutionary and outspoken political activist. Alongside drummer Tony Allen, he created Afrobeat by fusing West African rhythms with jazz, funk, and highlife, producing long, powerful compositions often charged with social and political commentary.
Before his death in 1997, Fela released more than 50 albums and became known for using his art to challenge corruption, injustice, and military rule in Nigeria.
