Fela Kuti Honored Posthumously with Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award

Mon Feb 02 2026 19:31:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Music icon Fela Kuti recognized by the Grammy Awards, making history as the first African recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award nearly 30 years after his death.

Fela Kuti, the legendary Afrobeat musician, will posthumously receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, marking a historic moment for African music. His family and friends acknowledge this recognition as a long-overdue tribute to a man who impacted music and politics. The award comes at a time when African music is gaining significant recognition globally, especially with the rise of Afrobeats.

Fela Kuti Honored Posthumously with Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award

Long crowned by his legion of fans as the king of Afrobeat, the late Fela Kuti is finally being recognized by the global music industry.

The Nigerian star will posthumously receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys - almost three decades after his death at the age of 58.

His son, Seun Kuti, expressed his gratitude: 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.

Rikki Stein, Kuti's long-time friend and manager, noted that this recognition is a positive change in the Grammy's historically limited view on African musicians, stating, Africa hasn't in the past rated very highly in their interests. I think that's changing quite a bit of late.

In response to the rising popularity of Afrobeats, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category earlier this year. Nigerian celebrity Burna Boy is also nominated in the Best Global Music Album category, showcasing the growing influence of African artists.

Fela Kuti will be the first African to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, which has previously honored iconic figures starting with Bing Crosby in 1963. Alongside him, the award will also celebrate the works of renowned artists such as Carlos Santana and Chaka Khan.

A family spokesperson remarked on the significance of Fela's legacy: The global human tapestry needs this, not just because it's my father, underscoring the impact of Kuti's cultural and political beliefs during a career that shaped the Afrobeat genre and addressed social injustice.

Kuti's music, known for its rhythm, improvisation, and politically charged messages, inspires artists globally, with his legacy now enshrined with this prestigious award. His family and friends will attend the ceremony to witness this historic acknowledgment.

The award symbolizes not just Fela Kuti's personal achievements but a vital recognition of African music's global influence.