Fela Kuti Becomes First African Grammy Lifetime Honoree

Historic recognition after decades

Nearly three decades after his death, Nigerian music icon Fela Kuti has become the first African artist to receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The posthumous honour was presented in Los Angeles on January 31, 2026, on the eve of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The award recognises artists whose creative contributions have shaped music history.

Family and collaborators react

Members of Fela’s family and close collaborators attended the ceremony. They described the moment as both emotional and overdue.

Yeni Kuti, his daughter, said the family welcomed the recognition but noted that Fela never received a Grammy nomination during his lifetime. She added that her father did not focus on awards and cared more about connecting with people through music.

Artist Lemi Ghariokwu, who designed many of Fela’s album covers, called the moment historic. He said the recognition felt surprising because Fela openly challenged political and cultural institutions throughout his career.

How Fela viewed honours

Family members believe Fela would not have placed personal value on the award. However, they say he may have appreciated its broader meaning for African artists.

His cousin, Yemisi Ransome Kuti, said the honour signals a shift toward recognising African contributions within global institutions.

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From Nigeria to global influence

Born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome Kuti in 1938 in Ogun State, Nigeria, Fela later adopted the name Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti. He travelled to London to study medicine but switched to music at Trinity College of Music.

After returning to Nigeria, he created Afrobeat by blending jazz, highlife, funk, soul, and Yoruba rhythms. His music carried strong political messages that challenged corruption, military rule, and social injustice.

Activism and resistance

In the 1970s, Fela declared his Lagos compound, the Kalakuta Republic, independent from the Nigerian state. His album Zombie criticised the military and led to violent raids, during which his mother died from injuries.

Authorities arrested Fela several times, yet he continued to speak out. Amnesty International later recognised him as a prisoner of conscience.

When Fela died in 1997 at the age of 58, his funeral in Lagos drew an estimated one million people.

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Lasting legacy

Fela’s influence spans generations. Artists such as Beyoncé, Paul McCartney, and Thom Yorke have cited his impact. His work also helped shape modern Nigerian Afrobeats.

His children continue his legacy through projects like the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos and the annual Felabration festival. His son Femi Kuti described the Grammy recognition as meaningful for Africa and global culture.

The Lifetime Achievement Award places Fela Kuti among artists honoured for lasting influence. The Recording Academy also recognised Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, and Whitney Houston at the Special Merit Awards ceremony.