“Father of Afrobeat” Fela Posthumously Honoured with Lifetime Grammy Award

Nigeria’s Afrobeat legend, often referred to as the “Father of Afrobeat,” Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has been posthumously honoured with the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, marking a landmark recognition for African music.

The recognition ceremony, held in Los Angeles, United States, on January 31, honoured Fela’s enduring contributions to music, culture, and politics. His children accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf.

The award recognises Fela’s revolutionary impact on world music, particularly his role in blending West African highlife with American jazz and funk to create the distinctive Afrobeat sound.

Although Fela did not receive a Grammy during his lifetime, he has earned numerous posthumous honours in recognition of his profound influence on global music. Notably, his 1976 album Zombie was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2025.

Safiya Muhammed Bello