Fela Kuti: A Legendary Legacy Recognized at Grammys with Lifetime Achievement Award

Sat Jan 31 2026 12:13:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti is set to become the first African to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys, almost 30 years after his passing.

Fela Kuti, the king of Afrobeat, is posthumously awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Grammys nearly three decades after his death. Fela's family and friends celebrate the recognition, emphasizing its importance in acknowledging his contributions to music and social justice. This milestone reflects a broader trend of growing appreciation for African music within the global music industry.

Long crowned by his legion of fans as the king of Afrobeat, the late Fela Kuti is finally being recognised 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.

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, his musician son Seun Kuti tells the BBC.

Rikki Stein, a long-time friend and manager of the late musician, says the recognition by the Grammys is better late than never.

Following the global success of Afrobeats, a genre inspired by Fela's sound, the Grammys introduced the category of Best African Performance in 2024. This year, Nigerian superstar Burna Boy also has a nomination in the Best Global Music Album category.

Fela Kuti's family, as well as friends and colleagues, will attend the Grammys to receive his award. Seun reflects on his father's legacy, emphasizing that it transcends just music, touching on themes of liberation and social justice.

Fela's music, which blended jazz, funk, and African rhythms, continues to resonate, influencing modern artists and introducing a politically charged version of Africa to global audiences.