On stage, Fela was more than a performer. He was humorous, charismatic, and fearless, using his art to expose corruption. Photo credit: Wallpapercave.com
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the legendary Nigerian musician and creator of Afrobeat, has once again made history. The Recording Academy has honored him with the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, making him the first African artist to receive this global recognition.
For a man whose music challenged oppression, celebrated
African identity, and reshaped the soundscape of the continent, this award is
more than a tribute; it is a validation of a legacy that continues to echo
across generations.
Fela Kuti was never just a musician. He was a movement. His
fusion of jazz, highlife, funk, and traditional African rhythms created
Afrobeat, a genre that became the heartbeat of resistance and cultural pride.
Through his fearless
lyrics, he confronted military dictatorships, corruption, and social injustice,
often at great personal cost. Yet his voice never wavered. His music became a
refuge for the oppressed and a rallying cry for those demanding change.
The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes artists
whose contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on the music world.
In Fela’s case, the impact is undeniable. His influence can be heard in the
works of global stars, from Beyoncé to Burna Boy, and felt in the growing
international appreciation of African rhythms.
His message of liberation and self‑determination
remains as relevant today as it was decades ago. He was born Fela Ransome‑Kuti,
but as he deepened his political awakening, he rejected the surname “Ransome,” calling it a colonial English name
that did not reflect his true identity.
In its place, he adopted the name Anikulapo, transforming it
into Fela Anikulapo‑Kuti. In Yoruba, Anikulapo means “one who carries death in his pocket,” a bold
declaration of fearlessness.
It was Fela’s way of saying
that no matter how many times the military brutalized him, imprisoned him, or
tried to silence him, they could not take his life or his spirit. He carried
his destiny with him, and no oppressor could decide it for him.
For Africa, this award is symbolic; it acknowledges not only
Fela’s genius but also the power and depth of African creativity. It reminds
the world that African artists have shaped global music in ways that cannot be
ignored. And for younger generations, it is a reminder that authenticity, courage,
and artistic integrity can change the world.
I still remember the day Fela Kuti came to Ghana and
performed at the Tema Community Centre. The crowd he drew was unbelievable.
People poured in from every corner, eager to witness the energy and brilliance
of a man whose music had already become a force across the continent.
On stage, Fela was more than a performer. He was humorous,
charismatic, and fearless, using his art to expose corruption and injustice in
Africa, especially in his home country, Nigeria, where he endured brutal
assaults and intimidation under the military regime.
Years later, in Antwerp, I had the privilege of meeting his sons, Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti. Speaking with them about their father felt like closing a circle, a moment that connected my own memories to the enduring legacy of a man who changed African music forever.
The Nigerian music legend
and Afrobeat inventor died on August 2, 1997, at the age of 58.