President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, following his posthumous recognition with the Recording Academy’s Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, describing the music icon as a fearless revolutionary whose legacy continues to shape global music and inspire generations.
In a tribute, the President said Fela was more than a musician, noting that he stood as a bold voice for the people and a symbol of resistance against injustice.
He described the Afrobeat pioneer as a philosopher of freedom whose art consistently challenged oppression and redefined the soundscape of modern music.
According to Tinubu, Fela’s courage, creativity and conviction defined an era and established a cultural movement that still resonates across Nigeria and beyond.
He added that the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award affirms the singer’s enduring global influence and recognises the foundational role Africa has played in shaping contemporary music.
The President highlighted that Fela’s creation of Afrobeat has inspired several generations of Nigerian artistes and continues to echo strongly in today’s Afrobeats wave, with many performers drawing from his unique blend of rhythm, activism and storytelling.
Tinubu also referenced Yoruba cultural beliefs, saying Fela’s impact has elevated him to an eternal status, likening the icon to an Orisa whose presence and influence remain alive.