President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the late Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, following his posthumous recognition with the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
In a statement titled “Fela Lives,” the President celebrated the legendary musician as the first African to receive the prestigious Grammy honor, describing the award as an affirmation of Fela’s enduring global influence.
President Tinubu characterized the late icon as more than just a musician, calling him a fearless voice of the people and a revolutionary force whose work confronted injustice and reshaped the global musical landscape.
Fela was a philosopher of freedom, the President stated. “His courage, creativity, and conviction defined a generation and continue to inspire the world.”
Reflecting on Kuti’s cultural and spiritual legacy, the President remarked that in Yoruba mythology, Fela has transcended to a higher plane as an Orisa, rendered eternal by his contributions to humanity.
The President further noted that Fela’s creation of Afrobeat laid the groundwork for the modern global success of Nigerian music. According to the statement, Fela’s influence remains visible in today’s generation of artists and the global evolution of the Afrobeats genre.
“He defined Afrobeat, and you can hear and see his influence in generations of Nigerian musicians and in Afrobeats and beyond,” Tinubu said, concluding with the simple declaration: “Fela lives.”
