Fela Kuti Becomes First African to Receive Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has posthumously received one of the most prestigious honours in global music, nearly three decades after his passing.

 

Ejes Gist News reports that the Recording Academy will award the Lifetime Achievement Award to Fela at the Grammy Awards, making him the first African to receive the accolade.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises artists who have made an exceptional impact on music, culture, and society over their careers. Fela Kuti’s contribution to global music, particularly through the creation of Afrobeat, has influenced generations of musicians and continues to resonate worldwide.

Recognition of a Musical Icon

Fela’s son, Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, welcomed the announcement, calling it a long-overdue acknowledgment of his father’s influence. “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,” Seun said.

Rikki Stein, a former manager and longtime associate of the late musician, also described the honour as overdue. “Africa hasn’t in the past rated very highly in their interests. I think that’s changing quite a bit of late,” Stein told the BBC.

The award is seen not only as a recognition of Fela’s musical genius but also as a symbolic acknowledgment of Africa’s growing influence on global music. Over the past decade, African music genres such as Afrobeats have gained international traction, with artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tiwa Savage achieving global recognition.

Fela Kuti’s Global Legacy

Fela Kuti’s career spanned over three decades until his death in 1997, during which he released more than 50 albums. Alongside drummer Tony Allen, he developed Afrobeat by fusing West African rhythms, jazz, funk, and highlife with politically charged lyrics and extended instrumental improvisation.

Beyond music, Fela was a cultural thinker and a political agitator. He frequently used his songs to critique successive Nigerian military governments, challenging corruption, oppression, and social injustice. Songs like Zombie, Sorrow, Tears and Blood, and Coffin for Head of State became emblematic of his fearless approach to activism.

Seun Kuti highlighted his father’s broader impact on culture, saying, “The global human tapestry needs this, not just because it’s my father.” Fela’s music continues to inspire both African and international artists, bridging political activism and artistry.

Afrobeat and the Rise of African Music Globally

The Grammy recognition of Fela comes amid rising global interest in African music. In 2024, the Recording Academy introduced the Best African Performance category, signalling a growing commitment to celebrating the continent’s musical talent. Nigerian singer Burna Boy also received a nomination in the Best Global Music Album category this year, further highlighting Africa’s influence on the global stage.

Fela’s Afrobeat is widely regarded as the foundation for contemporary Afrobeats. While Afrobeat is characterized by long, complex compositions with socio-political commentary, modern Afrobeats draws from the style’s rhythms and melodies, adapting them for mainstream global consumption. This trajectory underscores Fela’s lasting influence on the evolution of African music.

Previous Lifetime Achievement Recipients

The Lifetime Achievement Award places Fela among the ranks of global music legends. Previous recipients include Bing Crosby, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Paul Simon. This year’s honourees alongside Fela include Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, and Paul Simon. Family members, friends, and associates of Fela are expected to attend the ceremony to receive the award on his behalf.

Fela Kuti: Musician, Activist, Icon

Fela’s music was inseparable from his activism. He used his Lagos nightclub, the Afrika Shrine, as both a performance venue and a platform for political expression. Throughout his life, Fela faced arrests, harassment, and violent attacks from Nigerian authorities, yet he persisted in using his music to challenge authority.

Beyond Nigeria, Fela’s work has inspired musicians worldwide. Artists across Africa, Europe, and the Americas cite him as a major influence on their sound and political consciousness. His blend of artistry and activism has cemented him as more than a musician: he is a symbol of resistance and cultural pride.

Cultural Significance and Legacy

The award also reflects a growing recognition of African music’s cultural significance globally. Fela’s work laid the foundation for a musical movement that continues to shape global pop, jazz, and hip-hop, highlighting the continent’s contribution to the world’s cultural heritage.

By honouring Fela, the Recording Academy acknowledges not only his artistry but also the socio-political dimensions of his work. His music challenged governments, addressed social injustice, and empowered communities, illustrating the transformative power of art.

What you should know.

Fela Kuti’s posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys places him firmly among global music legends. It celebrates his innovation, political courage, and enduring influence on African and global music. For many, it is a moment of pride, reflecting Africa’s growing visibility on the world stage and the lasting resonance of Afrobeat.

As Fela’s family prepares to accept the award, the recognition serves as a reminder of his extraordinary contributions, both as a musician and as a cultural icon whose work transcended borders and generations.