Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has received a major global honour nearly three decades after his death. The BBC reported on Friday that the Recording Academy will posthumously confer a Lifetime Achievement Award on the Nigerian music icon at the Grammy Awards, making him the first African to receive the honour. It’s bringing balance to a Fela story.”A former manager and long-time associate of the late singer, Rikki Stein, said the honour was long overdue. In 2024, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, while Nigerian singer Burna Boy earned a nomination this year in the Best Global Music Album category. The BBC described Fela as more than a musician, portraying him as a cultural thinker, political agitator and the creator of Afrobeat.

Source: Punch January 30, 2026 15:50 UTC