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The Digest:

The late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is set to be posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first African musician ever to receive the prestigious recognition. The announcement by the Recording Academy places Fela alongside global icons like Whitney Houston, Paul Simon, Cher, and Chaka Khan, celebrating his role as the "architect of Afrobeat" and his enduring global influence.

Key Points:
  • Fela will be honored at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in the Special Merit Awards category
  • His 1976 album Zombie was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame earlier in 2025
  • The award recognizes his groundbreaking sound and lasting impact on music worldwide
  • Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. called the honorees foundational to modern music
  • Fans and musicians have celebrated the news as a milestone for African music globally
  • Fela's legacy continues to inspire generations of artists across genres and continents
  • The award cements his status as a cultural icon whose work transcends borders and time
  • This recognition follows decades of influence, activism, and musical innovation
In a world where recognition often lags behind legacy, this honor is a resonant affirmation, a testament that true art, rooted in rebellion and rhythm, eventually earns its place in history’s highest temple.

Sources: Pulse Ng, PM News