Los angeles: Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti has made history as the first African musician to be honored with a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition comes nearly three decades after Kuti's death and highlights his influence on global music, especially after years of political clashes in Nigeria.
According to France24.com, Kuti is among several artists being celebrated at a ceremony in Los Angeles, just a day before the main Grammy gala. The other honorees include Cher, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, and Chaka Khan. In the 1970s, Fela Kuti, known for his multi-instrumental skills and dynamic performances, created Afrobeat, a fusion of jazz, funk, and African rhythms. This genre laid the foundation for Afrobeats, a popular contemporary genre rooted in Nigeria that combines African rhythms with modern pop sounds.
The Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category in 2024, which has been dominated by Nigerian Afrobeats artists. This year, three of the five nominees for this category are Nigerian Afrobeats singers, following last year's win by Nigerian artist Tems. The Grammy's citation noted Fela's widespread influence, mentioning that he inspired artists like Beyonce, Paul McCartney, and Thom Yorke, and shaped modern Nigerian Afrobeats.
Fela Kuti, also known as the "Black President," passed away in 1997 at the age of 58, but his legacy continues through his sons, Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti, and his grandson Made Kuti. Grammy-nominated Made Kuti expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the family's ongoing dedication to Afrobeat and its legacy.
Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, Fela's first cousin and family head, described the award as a celebration for Africa, urging for timely recognition of artists' contributions. She speculated that Fela would have appreciated the acknowledgment, even though he was not particularly focused on external recognition during his lifetime.
Throughout his career, Fela Kuti frequently faced arrests by military governments, often due to his political activism and protest music. His iconic album "Zombie" was seen as a critique of the military regime at the time. His songs, known for their length and bold messages against corruption and government oppression, continue to resonate with new generations.
Fela's manager, Rikki Stein, who will attend the ceremony in Los Angeles, believes the award will further elevate Fela's music. With over fifty albums released, Stein is optimistic about the growing interest in Fela's work and message, especially among those who were not yet born when Fela passed away.