Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has become the first African artiste to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy.
The late music icon was posthumously honoured at the 2026 Special Merit Awards held in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 31, ahead of the main Grammy Awards ceremony.
The award was accepted on his behalf by his children — Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa and Femi Kuti.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yeni Kuti thanked the Recording Academy for the honour, noting that her father would have been proud. She also acknowledged her siblings who were unable to attend, Motunrayo and Seun, and praised her nephew, Made Kuti, for advancing the Afrobeat legacy.
“I’m sure my father is smiling down on us. I want to acknowledge my siblings who couldn’t be here tonight, Motunrayo and Seun, and my nephew who is taking Afrobeat to another level, Made,” she said.
In his remarks, Femi Kuti expressed appreciation to everyone promoting Afrobeat worldwide, including DJs, the media, their record label Partisan, legal representatives and fans across the globe.
He described the recognition as a significant milestone not only for their father, but for Africa and the global struggle for justice.
“I would like to thank everyone carrying Afrobeat here tonight — the DJs, the press, our label Partisan, our lawyers and fans all over the world. This honour is important for Africa, for world peace and for the struggle,” he said.
Fela received the prestigious award alongside other global music legends, including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher and Paul Simon.
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