By Chimdiogo Amuh 

Afrobeat pioneer and Nigerian music legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has been selected for a prestigious global honour nearly 30 years after his death, as the Recording Academy prepares to confer on him a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported on Friday that Fela will become the first African artist to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his enduring influence on global music, culture and political expression.

Reacting to the announcement, Fela’s son and Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, described the honour as a historic and symbolic moment.

“Fela has lived in the hearts of the people for such a long time. Now the Grammys have acknowledged it, and it feels like a double victory. It brings balance to the Fela story,” he said.

A former manager and long-time associate of the late musician, Rikki Stein, also welcomed the recognition, noting that it was long overdue.

“Africa hasn’t traditionally ranked highly in their interests, but I think that’s changing now,” Stein said.

According to the BBC, the award comes at a time of growing global interest in African music, largely driven by the international success of Afrobeats, a genre deeply rooted in Fela’s pioneering Afrobeat sound.

In 2024, the Grammy Awards introduced the Best African Performance category, further signalling the genre’s global acceptance. This year, Nigerian star Burna Boy also secured a nomination in the Best Global Music Album category.

Fela’s Lifetime Achievement Award places him among some of the most celebrated figures in global music history. Previous recipients include Bing Crosby, while this year’s honourees also feature Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan and Paul Simon.

Members of Fela’s family, friends and associates are expected to attend the Grammy ceremony to receive the award on his behalf.

“The global human tapestry needs this, not just because he’s my father,” Seun Kuti added.

The BBC described Fela as more than a musician, portraying him as a cultural philosopher, political activist and the architect of Afrobeat. Alongside drummer Tony Allen, Fela fused West African rhythms with jazz, funk and highlife, creating a sound defined by long improvisations and politically charged lyrics.

Before his death in 1997, Fela released more than 50 albums and remained a fearless critic of authoritarian rule, repeatedly confronting Nigeria’s military governments through his music and activism.