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MusicUnited States of America

'King of Afrobeat' Fela Kuti receives Grammy Lifetime Award

Azeezat Olaoluwa
February 1, 2026

The late Nigerian musician and Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti is the first African artist to receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. DW speaks with his family about Fela's legacy nearly 30 years after his death.

https://p.dw.com/p/57rDc

Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938–1997) was a Nigerian musician and political activist. Nearly 30 years after his death, Fela's music and message continue to resonate across generations.

DW spoke with his sons, Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti—both musicians—and with fans to explore how Fela combined political resistance with music that achieved global reach.

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