Fela Kuti: First African Recipient of Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award

Tue Feb 03 2026 20:32:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The late Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti is posthumously honored with the Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his cultural impact nearly three decades after his death.

Fela Kuti, the legendary Nigerian musician who revolutionized Afrobeat, has been posthumously awarded the Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first African to receive this accolade. His son, Seun Kuti, reflects on this recognition as a victory and an acknowledgment of Fela's enduring influence. Music industry figures, including long-time friend and manager Rikki Stein, emphasize the significance of this honor in shining a light on African artists. The award comes as the global music landscape increasingly embraces Afrobeat's heritage.

Fela Kuti: First African Recipient of 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.

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. It's bringing balance to a Fela story, he adds.

Rikki Stein, a long-time friend and manager of the late musician, says the recognition by the Grammys is better late than never. He adds that Africa hasn't been highly rated in the Grammys' interests in the past, but that is changing. 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. However, Fela Kuti will be the first African to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, albeit posthumously. The award was first presented in 1963 to American singer and actor Bing Crosby.

Other musicians who will receive the award this year include Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana, the renowned Queen of Funk Chaka Khan, and Paul Simon. Fela Kuti's family, along with friends and colleagues, will attend the Grammys to receive his award.

Stein emphasizes Fela's legacy, stating that he championed the cause of those who suffered social injustices and corruption in government, marking an important aspect of his legacy and influence.

Fela Kuti, born Olufela Olusegun Oludoton Ransome-Kuti, was not only a musician but also a political agitator and cultural theorist, pioneering Afrobeat while blending West African rhythms with jazz, funk, and socially charged lyrics. His music, characterized by vibrant performances at the Afrika Shrine in Lagos, resonates with millions worldwide today.

His influence is still acute among today’s artists like Burna Boy, Kendrick Lamar, and actor/DJ Idris Elba, who appreciates Fela's unique sound and cultural impact.

As his son Seun recalls, Fela's approach to music was never about awards but about liberation and the expression of freedom.