The world of music has once again honoured a true giant—Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
In a tribute marking his posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrated Fela not only as a legendary musician, but as a fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose sound and spirit reshaped global music.
Fela was more than an artist. Through his courage, creativity, and unwavering conviction, he confronted injustice and power, defining an era and inspiring generations far beyond Nigeria’s borders. His music was resistance, his stage a battleground, and his message timeless.
Drawing from Yoruba cosmology, the President noted that Fela has transcended to a higher plane, becoming an Òrìṣà—eternal and immortal in spirit. Though gone in flesh, his essence lives on.
With the Recording Academy of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Fela Kuti becomes the first African to receive the prestigious honour, albeit posthumously. The recognition affirms his enduring global influence and the foundational role he played in positioning African music at the heart of modern global sound.
Fela did not merely create Afrobeat—he defined it. His imprint resonates clearly in generations of Nigerian musicians and across today’s Afrobeats movement, echoing through rhythms, lyrics, and the courage to speak truth to power.
This honour is not just a celebration of a life lived boldly, but a reminder that Fela’s music, message, and mission remain alive.
Fela lives.
