Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has been honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, making him the first African musician to receive the prestigious recognition.
The honor was presented during the 2026 Special Merit Awards held in Los Angeles on Saturday night. The award was received on behalf of the late icon by his children — Femi, Yeni, and Kunle Kuti.
This recognition comes shortly after Fela’s 1976 landmark album, Zombie, was inducted into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame, further cementing his lasting influence on global music and political expression.
Accepting the award, Femi Kuti emphasized the broader meaning of the moment for Africa and the world.
“I would like to thank all the people carrying Afrobeat that are in this place tonight. DJs, the press, our label Partisan, our lawyers, and fans all over the world,” he said. “Thank you for bringing our father here; it’s so important for Africa. It’s so important for world peace and struggle.”
Yeni Kuti also addressed the audience, expressing deep gratitude to the Recording Academy.
“I’m sure my father is smiling down on us,” she said. “I want to acknowledge my siblings who couldn’t be here tonight, Motunrayo and Seun, and my nephew who is carrying Afrobeat to another level, Made.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for performers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording. Fela was honored alongside global icons including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, described the 2026 honorees as “an extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres, and the very foundation of modern music.”
Reflecting on the milestone via social media, Femi Kuti added that their father’s legacy continues to inspire people across the world, describing the moment as both emotional and historic for the family.
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