President Bola Tinubu has celebrated the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti after the Recording Academy awarded him a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, calling the legendary musician a “fearless voice of the people” whose influence transcends generations.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938–1997), acclaimed as the “King of Afrobeat,” pioneered a musical genre that blends jazz, highlife, funk and traditional African rhythms.
His music was marked by sharp political commentary and resistance to injustice, making him a defining figure in Nigerian cultural history.
At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, he became the first African artist to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a distinction that honours artists with profound and lasting contributions to the recording arts.
In a statement titled “Fela Lives,” issued on Sunday in Abuja, Tinubu described Fela as “more than a musician,” emphasising his role as a philosopher of freedom and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound.
The President said Fela’s courage, creativity and conviction defined a generation and continue to inspire musicians around the world.
Tinubu highlighted the historic significance of the Grammy honour, noting that Fela’s recognition by the Recording Academy of America affirms his enduring global influence and the foundational role he played in the evolution of African music’s impact on the world.
“He defined Afrobeat, and you can hear and see his influence in generations of Nigerian musicians and in Afrobeats and beyond,” the statement said.
Invoking cultural symbolism, Tinubu referenced Yoruba mythology, saying Fela had “transcended to a higher plane as an Orisa” and called him eternal in his legacy. The tribute closed with the declaration: “Fela lives.”
Tinubu’s tribute underscores the significance of Fela’s international recognition not only as a cultural milestone but also as a symbol of African artistic achievement on the global stage.
The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award highlights the growing influence of African music genres, including Afrobeat and its contemporary evolution in Afrobeats, on the global music industry.
The recognition may also invigorate efforts to preserve and promote Nigeria’s rich musical heritage, inspiring new generations of artists to explore the intersections of music, culture and social commentary.
President Bola Tinubu has hailed Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, paying tribute to the musician’s enduring legacy as a fearless voice of the people and a pioneering force in global music.
The historic honour represents a milestone for Nigerian and African cultural influence internationally.
