Afrobeat Pioneer Fela Kuti Set to Become First African Recipient of Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

 The Recording Academy has announced that legendary Nigerian musician and Afrobeat creator Fela Anikulapo Kuti will posthumously receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Special Merit Awards Ceremony. This historic honor marks Fela Kuti as the first African artist to be recognized with this prestigious accolade.

Fela Kuti, often hailed as the "Black President" for his profound musical innovation and fearless political activism, will be honored alongside global icons including Whitney Houston, Cher, Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, and Paul Simon. The award celebrates performers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording.

Known for fusing jazz, funk, and traditional African rhythms into the groundbreaking genre of Afrobeat, Kuti's influence extends far beyond music. His politically charged lyrics challenged corruption and oppression, inspiring generations of artists worldwide, from modern Afrobeats stars to international figures like Beyoncé and Questlove. Earlier this year, his iconic 1976 album *Zombie* became the first Nigerian recording inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The Special Merit Awards Ceremony will take place on January 31, 2026, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, on the eve of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

This recognition underscores the growing global impact of African music and cements Fela Kuti's enduring legacy as a revolutionary force in art and activism.