Nearly five decades after it shook the world with its revolutionary sound and fearless message, Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s legendary 1976 album Zombie has earned a place in music history once again—this time with a posthumous induction into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame.
The Recording Academy unveiled its list of inductees earlier this week, celebrating recordings that are at least 25 years old and recognized for their enduring artistic, historical, or cultural impact. Fela’s Zombie now joins an elite list of iconic works alongside albums from global music titans like Jay-Z, Santana, and Cat Stevens.
This milestone marks a historic first: Fela Kuti becomes the first and only African artist to be inducted into the prestigious Grammy Hall of Fame, a testament to the global influence and timeless relevance of Afrobeat.
Released in 1976, Zombie was a searing critique of the Nigerian military regime, delivered through hypnotic rhythms, powerful horns, and Fela’s unapologetic voice. The title track, infamous for its bold defiance, sparked both acclaim and controversy—leading to government crackdowns and personal tragedy for the artist.
Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Zombie has endured as a cultural anthem and symbol of resistance, admired for its musical ingenuity and political courage.
The Recording Academy, in its statement, called the inductees “treasures of recorded sound that continue to influence generations.” For fans of Fela and African music as a whole, the recognition is not only overdue—it’s deeply significant.
The posthumous honour reinforces the legend’s words: Music is the weapon. And in 2025, Fela Kuti’s voice echoes louder than ever from the Grammy Hall of Fame.
