In the wake of Fela Anikulapo Kuti receiving the posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the first for any African artist, Femi Kuti, his eldest son, has shared profound reflections on the milestone.
Speaking exclusively to ARISE News in Los Angeles after the Special Merit Awards ceremony on January 31, 2026, Femi described the honour as a validation of a man who “stood by his own rules” and lived uncompromisingly.
The award, celebrates Fela’s legacy as the father of Afrobeat a revolutionary fusion of jazz, funk, highlife, and political activism that challenged corruption, colonialism, and injustice in Nigeria and beyond.
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Femi expressed initial shock upon learning of the award: “I was surprised… I was shocked. And I was like, wow. Then it was awesome, good feeling. I’ve always known my father was a genius, I’ve always respected [and] adored [him].”
He accepted the plaque alongside siblings Yeni, Kunle, and others, emphasising its significance: “Thank you for bringing our father here. It’s so important for Africa. It’s so important for world peace and struggle.”
On Fela’s legacy and influence, Femi highlighted how his father’s revolutionary Afrobeat shaped global music saying; “Hardly any great musician, past and present, has escaped the influence of Fela’s revolutionary sound,” noting impacts on figures like Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, Thom Yorke, and modern Afrobeats stars such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido.
The eldest son, stressed that Fela’s work ranks alongside the greatest composers, which serves as a blueprint for cultural activism beyond mere entertainment.
