Fela Kuti: The First African to Receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Long crowned by his legion of fans as the king of Afrobeat, the late Fela Kuti is finally being recognized by the global music industry. The Nigerian star will posthumously receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys – almost three decades after his death at the age of 58.

“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,” his musician son Seun Kuti tells the BBC. “It's bringing balance to a Fela story,” he adds.

Rikki Stein, a long-time friend and manager of the late musician, notes that the recognition by the Grammys is better late than never. He emphasizes the changing landscape regarding Africa's representation in the music industry.

Following the global success of Afrobeats, a genre inspired by Fela's sound, the Grammys introduced the category of Best African Performance in 2024. This year, Nigerian superstar Burna Boy also has a nomination in the Best Global Music Album category.

However, Fela Kuti will be the first African to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, albeit posthumously. Other musicians receiving awards this year include Carlos Santana and Paul Simon.

The Kuti family and his friends will attend the Grammys to accept the award. Seun Kuti remarked, “The global human tapestry needs this, not just because it's my father.”

Fela Kuti was not simply a musician but also a political activist who used his art to advocate for social justice and against government corruption. Having released over 50 albums, Kuti's music served as a powerful tool for political expression.

Today, Fela Kuti's music maintains a considerable influence and continues to resonate with millions globally, shaping the sounds of contemporary artists like Burna Boy, Kendrick Lamar, and Sir Idris Elba.