The late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, celebrated globally as the king of Afrobeat, is set to become the first African musician to receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, nearly three decades after his death at age 58.
Speaking to the BBC, Fela’s son, Seun Kuti, said the recognition brings “balance to a Fela story” and acknowledges the musician’s enduring influence. Long-time friend and manager Rikki Stein described the award as “better late than never,” noting that Africa’s presence in the global music conversation is gaining momentum.
A Trailblazer of Afrobeat
Fela Kuti was not only a musician but also a political activist, cultural theorist, and social agitator. He pioneered the Afrobeat genre alongside drummer Tony Allen, blending West African rhythms, jazz, funk, highlife, and politically charged lyrics. His music consistently challenged government corruption and social injustice, earning the ire of Nigeria’s military regimes.
Over his roughly 30-year career, Fela released more than 50 albums, with his work intertwining music, ideology, and activism. Notable incidents include the 1977 raid on his Lagos compound, Kalakuta Republic, after the release of the album Zombie, which satirised the military. Following the attack, which led to the death of his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Fela turned his grief into protest with the song Coffin for Head of State.
His ideology fused pan-Africanism, anti-imperialism, and African-rooted socialism, influenced by his mother and international figures like US-born activist Sandra Izsadore. He also drew musical inspiration from Ghanaian highlife, merging it with Yoruba rhythms and Western jazz and funk to create Afrobeat’s signature sound.
Legacy and Global Impact
Fela’s music continues to inspire millions worldwide, influencing artists such as Burna Boy, Kendrick Lamar, and Idris Elba. His son, Seun Kuti, continues his musical legacy, leading the band Egypt 80.
Renowned designer Lemi Ghariokwu, who created 26 of Fela’s album covers, highlighted the musician’s lasting cultural impact, calling the Grammy recognition a testament to Fela’s immortality.
The award will be presented posthumously at the Grammys, where family, friends, and colleagues will accept on his behalf. Other honourees this year include Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, and Paul Simon.
Seun Kuti reflected on his father’s influence beyond music, emphasizing discipline, leadership, and service to humanity. “Fela was our dad, but you didn’t own him. Fela belonged to himself. But we all belonged to him,” he said, highlighting the personal and cultural legacy Fela left behind.
With this recognition, Fela Kuti cements his place not only as the architect of Afrobeat but also as a global icon whose music and message continue to resonate across generations.
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