Late Nigerian legendary musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti was honoured with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement award at the 68th Grammy Awards honors party on Saturday January 31, 2026 in Los Angeles. This recognition came almost thirty years after the singer’s passing.
Fela was described as a “producer, arranger, political radical, outlaw and the father of Afrobeat.” at the presentation.
Fela eldest son Femi Kuti, now 63 years old thanked the organizers for the recognition in his speech “Thank you for bringing our father here. It’s so important for us, it’s so important for Africa, it’s so important for world peace and the struggle”. Eldest daughter Yeni Kuti also chipped in: “The family is happy about it. And we’re excited that he’s finally being recognised,” she said, adding that while the honour was “better late than never”, there remained “a way to go” in fully acknowledging African artists globally.”
Davido joined Fela Kuti’s family, including Femi and Yeni Kuti, to receive the award that made Fela the first African artist to receive this honor.
