Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has etched his name into history as the first African musician to be conferred with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy.
The honour was bestowed posthumously at the 2026 Special Merit Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 31, a day before the main Grammy Awards ceremony. His children Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa and Femi Kuti were present to receive the award on his behalf.
While addressing the audience, Yeni Kuti thanked the Recording Academy and said she believed their father would be “smiling down on us.”
She also recognised her siblings Motunrayo and Seun, who were absent, and applauded her nephew Made Kuti for pushing Afrobeat to greater heights.
“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 carrying Afrobeat to another level, Made.”
Femi Kuti, in his remarks, expressed appreciation to those who have helped sustain and spread Afrobeat across the world, including DJs, media practitioners, their record label Partisan, legal teams and fans globally. He described the recognition as a milestone not just for their late father, but for Africa and the global fight for justice.
“I would like to thank all the people carrying Afrobeat that are in this place tonight. DJs, the press, our label Partisan, our lawyers, fans all over the world. Thank you for bringing our father here, it’s so important for Africa. It’s so important for world peace and struggle., Femi said.
Fela shared the prestigious honour with other celebrated figures in global music, among them Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher and Paul Simon.
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