The late Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti has been posthumously honoured by the Recording Academy, which organises the Grammy Awards, for his lifetime contribution to music.
The Academy announced that Fela, widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising his lasting influence on global music and culture.
In a statement shared on social media, the Recording Academy described him as a musician, producer, political activist and cultural figure whose work reshaped African music and inspired artists across generations.
Fela developed Afrobeat in the late 1960s, blending jazz, funk, highlife, salsa and traditional Nigerian rhythms into a distinctive sound that also carried strong political messages. His music often criticised corruption, military rule and social injustice in Nigeria.
Although he died in 1997, his influence remains strong, particularly in modern Afrobeats, which has gained worldwide popularity. The Academy noted that international artists such as Beyoncé, Paul McCartney and Thom Yorke have cited his work as an inspiration.
The organisation also highlighted the preservation of his legacy through institutions such as the Kalakuta Museum and the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos.
Fela Kuti will be formally recognised alongside other recipients during the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards ceremony on 31 January 2026.
