Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has received a major international honour almost 30 years after his death.
The Recording Academy, which organises the Grammy Awards, will give Fela a Lifetime Achievement Award, making him the first African to receive this recognition.
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The BBC reported that the award celebrates Fela’s lasting influence on music and culture around the world.
Reacting to the news, Fela’s son and fellow musician, Seun Kuti, said his father has always lived in the hearts of the people, and the Grammy recognition is a great victory.
A former manager of Fela, Rikki Stein, also said the honour is long overdue and noted that global interest in African music is now growing.
The BBC explained that this recognition comes at a time when African music is gaining more global attention, especially through the success of Afrobeats, which grew from the foundation laid by Fela.
In 2024, the Grammys introduced a Best African Performance category, and Nigerian singer Burna Boy received a nomination this year for Best Global Music Album.
Fela now joins famous musicians such as Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Paul Simon, and Bing Crosby, who have also received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Members of Fela’s family and close associates are expected to attend the Grammy ceremony to receive the award on his behalf.
Fela is remembered not only as a musician but also as a cultural voice and political activist. Alongside drummer Tony Allen, he created Afrobeat by combining African rhythms with jazz, funk, and highlife, often using his songs to speak against injustice.
Before his death in 1997, Fela released more than 50 albums and became known worldwide for using music to challenge oppression and speak for the people.