Global music history has been made as Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti becomes the first African to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, nearly three decades after his death.
The BBC reported on Friday that the Recording Academy will posthumously honour the Nigerian icon at the Grammy Awards, referencing his lasting influence on global music, culture and political expression.
Reacting to the historic recognition, Fela’s son and Afrobeat star, Seun Kuti, described the moment as a long-overdue victory.
“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.”
A former manager and long-time associate of the late singer, Rikki Stein, said the recognition reflects a shift in how African music is valued globally.
“Africa hasn’t in the past rated very highly in their interests. I think that’s changing quite a bit of late,” Stein said.
The BBC noted that the honour comes amid a global surge in interest in African music, driven largely by the international success of Afrobeats, a genre rooted in Fela’s revolutionary sound.
In 2024, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, while Nigerian star Burna Boy earned a nomination this year in the Best Global Music Album category, further underlining Africa’s growing influence on the world stage.
Fela’s Lifetime Achievement Award places him among global music giants. Past recipients include Bing Crosby, while this year’s honourees also feature Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan and Paul Simon.
Members of Fela’s 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.
Beyond music, the BBC described Fela as a cultural thinker, political agitator and fearless critic of power. Alongside drummer Tony Allen, he created Afrobeat by blending West African rhythms with jazz, funk and highlife, delivering extended jams and politically charged lyrics.
Before his death in 1997, Fela released over 50 albums and remained a relentless voice against injustice, using music as a weapon to challenge authority and inspire generations worldwide.
