Fela Kuti Posthumously Awarded Grammy Lifetime Achievement Honor

Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been posthumously honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy, becoming the first African artist to receive the accolade.

The recognition was presented at the Special Merit Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on January 31, 2026, ahead of the main Grammy Awards. The award was collected by his children Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa, and Femi Kuti.

Yeni Kuti expressed her gratitude, stating she was certain their father would be “smiling down” on the occasion. She also acknowledged absent siblings and praised her nephew Made Kuti for advancing the Afrobeat genre.

Femi Kuti extended thanks to supporters worldwide, including DJs, media, their label, and fans. He emphasized the award’s significance, calling it important not just for his father’s legacy, but for Africa and the global pursuit of justice.

Fela Kuti was honored alongside other music icons, including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon.