President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, following the late musician’s posthumous recognition with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Recording Academy, organisers of the Grammy Awards.
In a statement issued on Sunday to mark the honour, the President described Fela as a towering cultural figure whose legacy stretches far beyond music, noting that the global community had recognised “a giant” whose impact remains unmatched.
Tinubu said Fela was not merely an entertainer but a bold advocate for justice, freedom and social change, whose sound and message challenged oppression and reshaped the global music landscape.
According to the President, the late artiste embodied courage, originality and conviction, qualities that defined an era and continue to resonate with audiences across generations.
He added that, in the context of Yoruba spirituality, Fela has transcended mortality, describing the Afrobeat pioneer as eternal in influence and essence.
President Tinubu noted that the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award represents a historic milestone, as Fela becomes the first African to receive the honour, albeit posthumously.
He said the recognition reinforces Fela’s lasting global relevance and acknowledges his foundational role in the development, evolution and international acceptance of African music.
The President further observed that Fela not only created Afrobeat as a genre but also laid the groundwork for generations of Nigerian musicians, with his influence still evident in modern Afrobeats and global music beyond the African continent.
Declaring that “Fela lives,” Tinubu emphasised that the icon’s ideals, sound and cultural philosophy remain alive decades after his death.
The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to performers whose careers reflect creative contributions of exceptional artistic importance to the recording field, placing Fela Anikulapo Kuti among an elite class of global music legends.
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