President Bola Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to
Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti following his posthumous recognition with
the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, describing the late musician as a
revolutionary whose influence transcended music.
In a statement released on Sunday, the President said
Fela was far more than an entertainer, portraying him as a fearless advocate
for justice whose sound challenged oppression and reshaped global music
culture.
According to Tinubu, Fela’s courage, originality and
unwavering convictions defined a generation and continue to inspire audiences
worldwide. He added that the Afrobeat legend has achieved cultural immortality
through his enduring impact.
Drawing from Yoruba spirituality, the President said
Fela has ascended beyond the physical realm and attained eternal relevance,
declaring that his legacy will live on forever.
Fela was honoured on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at
the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards ceremony held at the Wilshire
Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, ahead of the 68th Grammy Awards.
With the recognition, Fela became the first African
artist to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a distinction reserved
for performers whose work has made exceptional contributions to music over a
lifetime.
The late icon, who passed away in 1997 at the age of
58, was celebrated for his lasting musical, political and cultural influence.
Other honourees at the ceremony included global music legends such as Chaka
Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon and the late Whitney Houston.
The award was received on Fela’s behalf by his
children—Femi, Yeni and Kunle Kuti—alongside family members and prominent
figures from the international music industry.
During the presentation, Fela was described as a
groundbreaking producer, arranger, activist and the architect of Afrobeat.
Speaking at the event, Femi Kuti thanked the Recording
Academy for recognising his father’s legacy, describing the moment as
significant not only for their family but also for Africa and the global
struggle for justice and peace.
Yeni Kuti expressed joy over the recognition, noting
that Fela was never nominated for a Grammy during his lifetime. While welcoming
the honour, she said it highlighted the need for greater global acknowledgment
of African artists.
Seun Kuti also described the award as symbolic,
stating that while Fela had long lived in the hearts of the people, the Grammy
recognition added balance to his story on the global stage.
Visual tributes at the ceremony showcased Fela’s
image, his extensive body of work, the award-winning Broadway production
inspired by his life, and international projects celebrating his legacy.
Born Olufela Ransome-Kuti in 1938 in Abeokuta, Ogun
State, Fela was the son of renowned activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. He
initially travelled to London to study medicine before discovering his passion
for music at Trinity College.
In the 1960s, he co-created Afrobeat alongside drummer
Tony Allen, fusing African rhythms with jazz, funk and soul, while using music
as a tool for political expression.
Over a career spanning three decades, Fela released
more than 50 albums and became a powerful critic of military rule, corruption
and imperialism, while championing pan-African ideals.
His activism often brought him into conflict with
authorities, most notably after the release of his 1977 album Zombie,
which criticised military brutality and led to a violent raid on his Kalakuta
Republic commune.
Despite repeated arrests and imprisonment, Fela
remained defiant until his death. His funeral drew an estimated one million
mourners, underscoring his influence beyond music.
Today, Fela’s impact continues to shape global sounds
and culture, influencing artists across generations and continents, and
remaining a cornerstone of modern Afrobeats.
The Grammy honour follows the 2025 induction of Zombie
into the Grammy Hall of Fame and reflects the Recording Academy’s growing
recognition of African music, including the creation of the Best African Music
Performance category in 2024.
Comments:
Leave a Reply