Fela Kuti First African to Get Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award

4 days ago

Copy Link

Fela Kuti becomes the first African to receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
The recognition is seen as the 'anti-establishment being recognised by the establishment'.
Fela's family and friends hope the award will amplify his music and ideology for new generations.
Despite the honor, Fela was never nominated for a Grammy during his lifetime.
Fela's daughter, Yeni Kuti, expressed mixed feelings, calling it 'better late than never'.
Lemi Ghariokwu, designer of Fela's album covers, highlighted the significance of an African being honored.
Fela was known for his anti-establishment stance, making the Grammy recognition surprising.
Fela's family believes he would have been indifferent to the award, valuing recognition from his people more.
Fela's legacy includes creating Afrobeat and being a political radical advocating for African unity.
His music criticized military rule and social injustice in Nigeria, leading to frequent arrests.
Fela's influence spans generations, inspiring artists like Beyonce and shaping modern Afrobeats.
His daughter Yeni continues his legacy through the New Afrika Shrine and 'Felabration'.
Fela's pan-Africanism and ideologies remain a significant but often overlooked part of his legacy.

Hasty Briefsbeta