In a landmark moment for African music history, legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been posthumously honoured with the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award ceremony was held on January 31, 2026, in Los Angeles, United States, where members of Fela’s family accepted the recognition on behalf of the late icon.
The Recording Academy said the honour acknowledges Fela’s transformative impact on global music, particularly his creation of Afrobeat, a genre that blended West African highlife rhythms with elements of American jazz and funk to produce a sound that reshaped contemporary music.
Decades after his death, Fela’s music and message continue to resonate across continents, influencing generations of artistes and cementing his status as one of the most significant cultural figures in world music.
His children, Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa and Femi Kuti, were present to receive the award. Speaking at the ceremony, Yeni Kuti expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing the moment as deeply emotional for the family.
She acknowledged siblings who were unable to attend, including Motunrayo and Seun Kuti, and also praised her nephew, Made Kuti, for advancing the Afrobeat legacy to new heights.
Femi Kuti, also a celebrated musician, thanked individuals and organisations that have sustained Afrobeat’s global presence, including DJs, members of the press, record label partners, legal teams and fans worldwide.
He noted that the honour extends beyond their family, describing it as significant for Africa and for the broader ideals of peace, justice and cultural expression that Fela championed throughout his life.
The Lifetime Achievement Award places Fela Anikulapo-Kuti among an elite group of global music icons, including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher and Paul Simon, further underscoring his enduring influence on the world stage.
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