Afrobeat pioneer’s legacy celebrated alongside music icons at Grammy Week
Legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, marking a historic moment for African music on the global stage. The Recording Academy announced that Fela will be honored posthumously as part of its Special Merit Awards during Grammy Week in Los Angeles on January 31, 2026, ahead of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.
Fela Kuti, widely celebrated as the father of Afrobeat, revolutionized music by blending jazz, funk, highlife, and traditional Nigerian rhythms with politically charged lyrics that challenged corruption and injustice. His influence stretches across generations and genres, inspiring artists around the world and shaping modern African popular music.
The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award places Fela among a prestigious group of music legends whose creative contributions have made significant impacts on the recording industry. Alongside Fela, other honorees include Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Carlos Santana, Cher, and Paul Simon — artists whose work has defined decades of musical innovation.
Fans and musicians worldwide have welcomed the recognition as a well-deserved tribute that cements Fela’s enduring legacy and global cultural impact.
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