Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti honored as first African with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award - Fela Kuti's posthumous Grammy honors Afrobeat's global legacy
Nigerian music legend Fela Kuti will receive a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award this weekend. The honour comes nearly 30 years after his death in 1997 at the age of 58. Known as the 'Black President,' Kuti's groundbreaking work in Afrobeat continues to shape modern music across the globe.
The ceremony in Los Angeles will also recognise other icons, including Cher, Whitney Houston, and Paul Simon. Kuti's family and fans see the award as a historic moment for African music, cementing his legacy as a pioneer who inspired generations of artists.
Fela Kuti created Afrobeat in the 1970s by blending jazz, funk, and traditional African rhythms. His bold sound laid the foundation for today's Afrobeats, a genre now dominating global charts. Artists from Beyoncé to Thom Yorke have cited him as a major influence, proving his reach beyond borders.
In 2024, the Grammys introduced the Best African Music Performance category, reflecting the growing impact of Nigerian Afrobeats. Harvey Mason Jr., president of the Recording Academy, emphasised the move as part of a broader push for inclusivity in music recognition. The new category highlights how deeply Afrobeats has entered mainstream culture.
Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, Fela's cousin, described the Lifetime Achievement Award as 'a celebration for the African people.' She urged fans to embrace the honour as a collective victory, reinforcing Kuti's role in putting African music on the world stage. His revolutionary spirit and uncompromising artistry remain a guiding force for musicians today.
The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award places Fela Kuti alongside some of music's greatest names. His posthumous recognition arrives as Afrobeats gains unprecedented global attention. The award also follows the Grammys' decision to create a dedicated category for African music, marking a new era for the genre he helped create.
