2026 Grammys to honour Fela with Lifetime Achievement Award
The Recording Academy will posthumously honour legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, recognising his lasting impact on African music and culture around the globe.
The Special Merit Award was announced on Friday via the Recording Academy’s official Instagram page, honouring the late artist for his lasting influence in shaping modern Nigerian Afrobeats and inspiring generations of artists worldwide.
Fela was described by the Academy as “an architect of Afrobeat,” celebrating a lifetime of influence that transcended music.
“Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician, producer, arranger, political radical, activist, and the father of Afrobeat. In the 1960s, he pioneered the genre by blending funk, jazz, salsa, calypso, and traditional Nigerian rhythms.
“His influence spans generations, shaping modern Nigerian Afrobeats and inspiring global artists such as Beyoncé, Paul McCartney, and Thom Yorke. His legacy continues to live on not only through his music but also through his family, the Kalakuta Museum, and the New Afrika Shrine,” the statement read.
Fela joins a notable lineup of stars to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside legends such as Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, The Clash, Prince, Dr Bobby Jones, Roxanne Shanté, Frankie Valli, Taj Mahal, and Paul Simon.
The accolade came nearly 30 years after his death and will be presented on January 31, 2026, alongside other posthumous honourees. It will precede the 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, 1 February, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
The latest honour marks Fela’s second major Grammy recognition within six months, following his induction into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame for his 1976 socio-political project, ‘Zombie.’
Fela is a worldwide music icon who created a new, influential sound that has crossed generations, both in Nigeria and internationally, inspiring leading global artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Asake, Beyoncé, and many others.
Apart from his musical dexterity, Fela was also a political activist and radical, using his voice and music to advocate for the rights of the people.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Tinubu’s Chicago Certificate: “Tokunbo Pearse is shameless scoundrel,” says Adebayo Williams
Mr Williams stated, “In 2003, I was part of Senator Tinubu’s entourage to his Alma mater, Chicago State University.”
Africa
ITUC-Africa demands climate justice, decent jobs for workers at COP31
TUC-Africa has called for climate justice, decent jobs and stronger social protection for workers at COP31.
Anti-Corruption
Fraudster Ifeanyi Arinze forfeits luxury cars, other items to FG after conviction
An analysis of his Kuda Bank account showed inflows totalling N2.14 billion between August 2022 and February 2026.
Education
Union directs OAU students not to pay N15,000 portal charge
The union gave the directive in a statement on Tuesday and demanded the suspension of all balloting activities until the matter is resolved.
States
NLC calls out Tinubu, demands immediate release of Osun LG funds
The Nigeria Labour Congress demanded the immediate release of withheld local government funds in Osun, declaring solidarity with workers protesting the seizure.
