Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti will be honored with a Special Merit Lifetime Achievement Award at the 67th Grammys, making him the first African musician to receive the prestigious award. The Recording Academy announced the honor, recognizing Fela's profound impact on music.
Fela will be celebrated alongside other music icons, including Whitney Houston, Paul Simon, Cher, and Chaka Khan. Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, described the honorees as "an extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres, and the very foundation of modern music" in an official statement.
The Academy acknowledged Fela as the "architect of Afrobeat," highlighting his transformative influence on the genre and his lasting legacy. The news follows the announcement that Fela’s 1976 album *Zombie* will be inducted into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame.
