Nearly three decades after his death, Nigerian music legend and Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, is set to receive one of the highest honours in global music, as the Recording Academy confers a Lifetime Achievement Award on him posthumously.
Fela, who died in 1997 at the age of 58, will become the first African recipient of the prestigious award, which has been presented since 1963 to artists who have made outstanding creative contributions of artistic significance to the field of recording. The recognition marks a historic moment not only for Nigeria but for the African continent, underscoring the enduring global impact of Fela’s music and activism.
His son, acclaimed musician and bandleader Seun Kuti, welcomed the announcement, describing it as a powerful affirmation of his father’s legacy and influence across generations.
“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,” Seun Kuti told the BBC. “It’s bringing balance to a Fela story,” he added, suggesting that global institutions are only now fully recognising the significance of his father’s contributions.
An Overdue Recognition
Rikki Stein, a close friend and longtime manager of the late musician, also described the honour as long overdue. Speaking to the BBC, Stein said Africa had historically been marginalised in the priorities of major global music institutions but noted that this trend appears to be changing.
“Africa hasn’t in the past rated very highly in their interests. I think that’s changing quite a bit of late,” Stein said. He added that while the recognition came decades after Fela’s death, it was still meaningful. “Better late than never,” he remarked.
The Lifetime Achievement Award comes at a time of heightened global attention on African music and culture. In 2024, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, a move widely seen as a response to the worldwide rise of Afrobeats and other African genres. Afrobeats, which dominates global charts today, draws much of its philosophical and musical foundation from the Afrobeat sound pioneered by Fela in the late 1960s and 1970s.
This year, Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, who has repeatedly cited Fela as a major influence, is also nominated in the Best Global Music Album category, further highlighting the international resonance of Nigerian and African music.
A Legacy Beyond Music
Members of Fela’s family, along with friends, collaborators and admirers, are expected to attend the Grammy ceremony to receive the award on his behalf. According to Seun Kuti, the honour transcends personal or family pride and carries a broader cultural and human significance.
“The global human tapestry needs this, not just because it’s my father,” Seun said, suggesting that Fela’s ideals of freedom, justice and self-expression remain relevant in today’s world.
Stein echoed this view, emphasising that Fela’s influence extended far beyond music. He described the late musician as a relentless advocate for the oppressed and marginalised, a voice for those who had “drawn life’s short straw.”
“Fela castigated any form of social injustice, corruption and mismanagement,” Stein said, noting that it would be impossible to separate his music from his political and social activism. “That aspect of Fela’s legacy cannot be ignored.”
The Birth of Afrobeat
Born Olufela Olusegun Oludoton Ransome-Kuti in 1938, Fela later dropped the surname “Ransome,” which he described as a symbol of colonial influence, adopting “Anikulapo,” a Yoruba word meaning “one who carries death in his pouch.” The name reflected his defiant personality and refusal to conform to imposed structures.
Alongside legendary drummer Tony Allen, Fela developed Afrobeat, a revolutionary genre that fused traditional West African rhythms with jazz, funk, highlife and soul, layered with sharp, politically charged lyrics. Afrobeat was not just a sound but a movement, one that challenged authority and encouraged African self-awareness.
Over a career spanning roughly three decades, Fela released more than 50 albums, many of which remain influential today. His music served as a vehicle for protest, addressing issues such as military dictatorship, police brutality, economic exploitation and cultural imperialism.
Confrontation With Power
Fela’s outspoken criticism of Nigeria’s military governments often put him in direct confrontation with the authorities. He was arrested numerous times, subjected to beatings and faced repeated attempts at censorship. One of the most infamous episodes occurred in 1977, following the release of his scathing song Zombie, which mocked the Nigerian military.
That year, soldiers raided and burned his Lagos commune, the Kalakuta Republic, which Fela had declared an independent state. During the raid, his mother, the renowned activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was thrown from a window. She later died from complications arising from her injuries, a tragedy that deeply affected Fela.
In response, Fela turned grief into protest. He famously carried his mother’s coffin to the gates of government buildings and released the album Coffin for Head of State, directly accusing the authorities of responsibility for her death. Rather than silencing him, the violence only intensified his resolve.
Fearless and Uncompromising
Despite the personal and physical toll of his activism, Fela remained unapologetic. His music, performances and lifestyle consistently challenged social norms and political power. According to Stein, Fela was never motivated by accolades or institutional approval.
“He wasn’t doing what he was doing to win awards,” Stein told the BBC. “He was interested in liberation. Freeing the mind. He was fearless. He was determined.”
That fearless spirit continues to inspire musicians, activists and thinkers around the world. Artists across genres and continents have sampled his music, covered his songs and drawn from his unapologetic stance against injustice.
A Historic Moment for Africa
Fela Kuti’s posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys represents a landmark moment in the global recognition of African creativity. It acknowledges not only his musical genius but also his role as a cultural revolutionary who used art as a weapon against oppression.
For many, the honour is a symbolic correction of history, placing Fela where his admirers believe he has always belonged, among the most influential artists the world has ever known. As Afrobeat and Afrobeats continue to dominate international stages, the Grammy recognition serves as a reminder that much of this global movement traces its roots back to the fearless Nigerian who dared to challenge power with rhythm, truth and sound.
