Legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has made history as the first African artist to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a major milestone for African music. The honour is being awarded posthumously by the Recording Academy.
Fela was the fearless creator of Afrobeat, a revolutionary sound that fused jazz, funk and African rhythms with bold political messages. His music challenged power, exposed corruption and gave a voice to the oppressed.
Despite his massive global influence, Fela never won a Grammy while alive. This recognition now places him alongside the world’s greatest music icons, decades after his passing.
Beyond the award, the moment signals a bigger shift—African music is finally being fully recognised on the world’s biggest stages. Fela’s legacy lives on, loud, rebellious and impossible to ignore.