Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the late Nigerian music icon and pioneer of Afrobeat, is set to posthumously receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards. This marks the first time an African artist has been honored with this prestigious award in its 63-year history. The award will be presented to his family, friends, and collaborators at a special ceremony in Los Angeles on January 31, during Grammy Week.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, introduced by the Grammys in 1963, recognizes performers who have made outstanding contributions of artistic significance to the field of recording. Fela Kuti, who died in 1997 at the age of 58, is widely regarded as the creator of Afrobeat, a genre that fuses traditional West African music with jazz, funk, and politically charged messages. His music often criticized corruption and military rule in Nigeria, leading to clashes with authorities, including a 1977 raid on his Lagos home, the Kalakuta Republic.
Fela's son, Seun Kuti, also an Afrobeat musician, hailed the Grammy recognition as a "double victory," stating, "Fela has been in the hearts of the people for such a long time. Now the Grammys have acknowledged it, and it's bringing balance to a Fela story". Rikki Stein, Fela's long-time friend and former manager, described the award as "better late than never," noting that African music has historically been marginalized in global award considerations. Stein added that there’s now a changing view of African music in the global spotlight. He told the BBC, "Africa hasn't in the past rated very highly in their interests. I think that's changing quite a bit of late". Stein emphasized that Fela "wasn't doing what he was doing to win awards. He was interested in liberation. Freeing his mind".
The Recording Academy has acknowledged Fela's widespread influence, citing the podcast series "Fela Kuti: Fear No Man" and the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "Fela!" as examples of his enduring impact. They noted that Fela's music has inspired artists such as Beyoncé, Paul McCartney, and Thom Yorke, and has shaped the sound of modern Nigerian Afrobeats.
Fela's posthumous recognition comes amid increasing global attention to African music. In 2024, the Grammys introduced a Best African Music Performance category, further highlighting the continent's diverse musical landscape. In 2025, Fela's 1976 album, "Zombie," was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, becoming the first Nigerian album to receive this honor. The album, a landmark of protest music, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026.
The presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Fela Kuti is viewed as a symbolic reconciliation between his revolutionary music and the global music establishment he often criticized. It celebrates his legacy as a titanic sociopolitical voice who fearlessly challenged corruption and oppression through his innovative and influential sound.
