Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has posthumously made history as the first African artist to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy.
The recognition was conferred at the 2026 Special Merit Awards held in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 31, ahead of the main Grammy Awards ceremony. Fela’s children—Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa and Femi Kuti—accepted the award on his behalf.
Speaking at the event, Yeni Kuti thanked the Recording Academy for the honour, saying she was certain their father would be “smiling down on us.” She also acknowledged siblings who were absent, Motunrayo and Seun, and praised her nephew, Made Kuti, for advancing Afrobeat globally.
“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.
Femi Kuti, in his remarks, expressed appreciation to all those who continue to promote Afrobeat worldwide, including DJs, members of the media, their record label Partisan, legal representatives and fans across the globe. He described the award as a landmark moment not only for their father, but for Africa and the global fight for justice.
“I would like to thank everyone carrying Afrobeat forward—DJs, the press, our label Partisan, our lawyers and fans all over the world. Thank you for bringing our father here. This is important for Africa, for world peace and for the struggle,” Femi said.
Fela received the prestigious honour alongside other global music icons such as Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher and Paul Simon.
