History was made at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards as Fela Kuti became the first African artist to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His children—Femi, Yeni, Shalewa, and Kunle Kuti—accepted the honour on his behalf at the Special Merit Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
The Recording Academy recognised Fela’s global impact alongside music legends Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon. Harvey Mason Jr, CEO of the Recording Academy, described the honorees as “an extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres, and the very foundation of modern music.”
During the ceremony, Yeni Kuti expressed gratitude, saying, “I want to thank the Grammys for this wonderful award. I’m sure my father is smiling down on us.” She also acknowledged family members who couldn’t attend: “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 paid tribute to his father’s mission and the global Afrobeat community: “I would like to thank all the people carrying Afrobeat that are in this place tonight. DJs, the press, our label Partisan Records, 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.”
This historic recognition highlights Fela Kuti’s enduring influence on contemporary music and cements his role as a foundational figure in Afrobeat, inspiring millions worldwide.
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