Fela Kuti
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the legendary Nigerian musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti following his posthumous recognition with the Recording Academy of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award, making him the first African to receive the prestigious honour.
In a heartfelt statement, President Tinubu described Fela as more than just a musician.
“He was a fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound,” he said.
According to the President, Fela’s courage, creativity, and conviction defined a generation and continue to inspire the world. “In Yoruba mythology, he has transcended to a higher plane as an Orisa. He is now eternal,” Tinubu added.
The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recognises Fela Kuti’s enduring global influence and the foundational role he played in shaping modern music. He is widely credited with defining Afrobeat, a genre whose rhythm, energy, and political consciousness continue to influence generations of Nigerian artists and the wider Afrobeats movement.
“He defined Afrobeat, and you can hear and see his influence in generations of Nigerian musicians and in Afrobeats and beyond,” President Tinubu said, emphasising that Fela’s legacy remains a beacon of African cultural excellence.
Concluding his tribute, the President declared simply: “Fela lives.”
