The global music community has paid tribute to legendary Nigerian musician and activist, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, with the Recording Academy of America’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, making him the first African to receive the honour, albeit posthumously.
Fela Kuti, widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, was celebrated not only for his groundbreaking sound but also for his fearless advocacy against injustice and oppression.
Beyond music, he was a powerful voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary figure whose art reshaped global music and political consciousness.
The award, according to observers, affirms Fela’s enduring global influence and recognises the foundational role he played in projecting African music onto the world stage and shaping modern musical expressions.
In a tribute signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Fela was described as a cultural icon whose courage, creativity and conviction defined a generation and continue to inspire musicians and activists across the world.
Drawing from Yoruba mythology, the tribute noted that Fela has “transcended to a higher plane as an Orisa,” symbolising his immortality in culture and history.
Decades after his passing, Fela’s influence remains evident in the works of successive generations of Nigerian artists and in the evolution of Afrobeats and other global music genres.
“Fela lives,” the tribute concluded, underscoring the timeless relevance of his music, message and legacy.
