Nearly three decades after his passing, Fela Aníkúlápó–Kuti’s influence continues to reverberate across continents, cultures, and generations. During the 2026 Grammy Awards season in Los Angeles, the Recording Academy posthumously honoured the Afrobeat pioneer with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, officially making him the first African artist to receive the distinction.
The recognition was announced at the Grammys’ Special Merit Awards Ceremony, where Fela was celebrated alongside an elite class of music legends including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon. In doing so, the Academy acknowledged not just a career, but a movement, one that reshaped global music, political expression, and African cultural identity.
Accepting the honour on Fela’s behalf were members of the Kuti family: Femi Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Shalewa Kuti, and Kunle Kuti. Their presence underscored the deeply generational nature of Fela’s legacy—one that has endured through bloodline, sound, and ideology.
In an official statement, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. described the 2026 honourees as “an extraordinary group whose influence transcends genres and generations, shaping the very foundation of modern music.” For Fela, whose work fused radical politics with hypnotic rhythm, the recognition felt long overdue.
Speaking during the acceptance, Yeni Kuti reflected on the emotional weight of the moment. “I want to thank the Grammys for this wonderful award. I’m sure my father is smiling down on us,” she said. She also acknowledged family members unable to attend, including Seun Kuti, who continues to carry Afrobeat into new global spaces, and her nephew Made Kuti, whom she praised for pushing the genre forward.
Femi Kuti followed with a tribute that extended beyond his father to the worldwide Afrobeat community. Thanking DJs, journalists, record labels, legal teams, and fans, he emphasized the collective effort that has sustained the music for decades. “Thank you for bringing our father here,” he said. “It’s so important for Africa. It’s so important for world peace and struggle.”
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