Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the pioneering Nigerian musician and activist, was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award on January 31, 2026, becoming the first African artist to receive the honor.
The award was accepted at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre by his children, Yeni, Femi, and Kunle Kuti.
In her acceptance speech, Yeni Kuti stated that while her father never sought Western validation, the recognition was a “victory for African people” and for the Afrobeat genre he created.
The event highlighted his enduring influence, with superstar Davido attending in a show of cross-generational respect.
The Recording Academy’s citation honored Fela not only as a musical innovator but as a “political radical” who challenged oppression. This award, placing him alongside icons like Whitney Houston and Carlos Santana, caps a landmark period for his legacy.
It follows the 2025 induction of his album “Zombie” into the Grammy Hall of Fame, solidifying his global impact on music and activism.
