Legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti is set to make history as the first African artist to be honoured with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, nearly three decades after his death.

The Recording Academy announced that the Afrobeat pioneer will receive the prestigious award at the 2026 Grammy Special Merit Awards Ceremony, scheduled for January 31, 2026 during Grammy Week ahead of the main Grammy Awards ceremony. He will be recognised alongside music icons including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, Paul Simon, and Carlos Santana.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to artists whose work has made outstanding artistic contributions to the field of recorded music. Fela never won a Grammy during his lifetime, but his influence on music and culture has grown steadily since his passing in 1997, making him one of the most influential figures in modern music history.

In 2025, Fela’s 1976 album “Zombie” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame — a rare distinction for an African recording — further cementing his global legacy. The album, which became a landmark piece of protest music, underlined his fusion of traditional Nigerian rhythms with funk, jazz, and soul — the sound that evolved into Afrobeat.

The Recording Academy described Fela as an innovative “architect of Afrobeat,” noting that his music “continues to inspire and influence artists around the world.” His radical blend of political activism, performance, and sonic experimentation reshaped global perceptions of African music and laid the foundation for generations of artists.

Reactions from his family and music community have been celebratory. His son, Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, said the recognition was “a double victory,” acknowledging Fela’s deep connection with audiences worldwide long before institutional honours arrived.

The award will be received on his behalf by members of his family at the Los Angeles ceremony, where his legacy will be celebrated alongside the contributions of other music legends. For many fans and music historians, the honour represents long-overdue recognition of Fela Kuti’s enduring influence on world music.