Fela Kuti Sripts History, Becomes First African Artist To Receive Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award

In a historic milestone for African music, the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti will posthumously receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award today, Saturday, January 31, 2026. This recognition makes him the first-ever African artist to be honored with this distinction in the Recording Academy’s 68-year history.

The award will be presented at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, just one day before the main 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

Fela Kuti: The “Black President’s” Global Honor

Nearly 30 years after his death in 1997, the Grammys are acknowledging the “inestimable contributions” of the man who single-handedly birthed Afrobeat.

The Legacy: Fela fused jazz, funk, and traditional West African rhythms with fearless political activism. His work laid the foundation for today’s global Afrobeats movement, which has seen Nigerian stars like Burna Boy and Wizkid dominate charts.
The Family’s Reaction: The award will be received by his children—Yeni, Femi, and Seun Kuti. His son Seun Kuti described the win as a “double victory,” stating it brings balance to Fela’s story by acknowledging his humanitarian and leadership roles.
Long Overdue: Family head Yemisi Ransome-Kuti noted that while the family is proud, the recognition should have come while Fela was still alive, urging organizations not to “wait till people are dead” to honor their impact.

The 2026 Lifetime Achievement Class

Fela Kuti joins an elite group of music icons being honored this year for their outstanding artistic significance:

Whitney Houston
Carlos Santana
Cher
Chaka Khan
Paul Simon

Afrobeat vs. Afrobeats: The Difference

Feature	Afrobeat (Fela’s Era)	Afrobeats (Modern Era)
Origin	1960s/70s (Nigeria/Ghana)	2000s/2010s (Global/West Africa)
Sound	Live bands, long jazz instrumentals	Digital production, pop hooks, hip-hop
Themes	Highly political, anti-corruption	Romance, lifestyle, celebration
Key Icons	Fela Kuti, Tony Allen	Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Tems