Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti was announced as a recipient of the 2026 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first African artist to receive this honor. Awarded by the Recording Academy, this posthumous award recognizes his immense impact on music, culture, and political activism. His children, including Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa, and Femi Kuti, accepted the award in Los Angeles.
Key Details of Fela Kuti’s Lifetime Achievement Award:
Historic Significance: Fela is the first African artist to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Posthumous Recognition: The award comes nearly three decades after his death in 1997, with his children accepting the honor on his behalf.
The Award Ceremony: The award was presented at the Special Merit Awards ceremony on the eve of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
Impact on Music: Fela is celebrated for creating Afrobeat in the 1960s/70s, a blend of West African rhythm, jazz, and funk, which continues to influence global music.
Political Legacy: Known as a fierce critic of military regimes in Nigeria, his music served as a tool for social commentary and activism.
Acceptance: His children expressed that he would be “smiling down” and acknowledged the importance of this recognition for African music.
The award marks a major, albeit long-overdue, milestone for the “father of Afrobeat” and his enduring legacy.