I was shocked when told about Fela’s Grammy Award – Femi Kuti

By Seyi Babalola

Femi Kuti, an Afrobeat exponent, has reminisced on his father, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously, describing the honour as a recompense for an artist who lived and worked purely by his own standards.

Speaking with ARISE News in Los Angeles, Femi discussed the Recording Academy’s decision to recognise Fela more than three decades after his death, emphasising what the event means to the Kuti family and how his father’s impact continues to define worldwide music and African cultural identity.

Femi said the news came as a surprise when the Academy contacted the family. “I was surprised, because, they called us to tell us he was going to receive it and we were like….well I was shocked. And I was like, wow. Then it was awesome, Good feeling, I’ve always known my father was a genius, I’ve always respected adored.”

He explained that Fela’s music stood alongside the greatest composers of his era, even if he never embraced mainstream culture. “Growing up his music was always special, we love reggae, we love, funk, jazz, but coming back to listen to him, I felt he was on the same level as any great composer or artist at that time.”

According to Femi, while global stars dominated popular culture, Fela chose a different path. “He had great influence with mainstream musicians. He’s just, he was never mainstream. I would say he didn’t participate. He was more focused on probably what he wanted to achieve, musically.”

He said the Grammy recognition validates that independent spirit. “So, it was fantastic news that, wow, a man that stood by his own rules is rewarded.”

Femi also stressed the importance of Fela becoming the first African recipient of the honour. “Many Africans have done quite well in the music scene. So for him to be the first musician from Africa to be awarded, it’s a great deal for us and for them.”

He suggested that the Academy had to recognise Fela’s far reaching impact before making the decision. “They must have sat down to say, He deserves it, he deserves it… Beyoncé, admires him, Jay Z. Hip hop was influenced by him. So hardly any great musician, past and present, that has not heard or was influenced by his music.”