Fela Kuti to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Grammys

Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti is set to make history at the Grammys.

The late Nigerian icon will be posthumously honored with a Special Merit Lifetime Achievement Award at the 67th ceremony, becoming the first African musician to receive the distinction.

He will be celebrated alongside music legends such as Whitney Houston, Paul Simon, Cher, and Chaka Khan.

The Recording Academy described the group as “an extraordinary mix whose influence spans generations, genres, and the very foundation of modern music.”

Known as the “architect of Afrobeat,” Fela transformed the genre and inspired generations of artists across the globe. His music and message continue to resonate decades after his passing.

The Academy has previously recognized his impact by inducting his 1976 album “Zombie” into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame.

Now, Fela’s lifetime of groundbreaking work will receive one of music’s highest honors on the world stage.