Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been posthumously inducted into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame for his politically charged 1976 album, Zombie. Nearly 30 years after his death, Fela becomes the first Nigerian artist to receive this honour.
The Recording Academy, organizers of the Grammy Awards, announced the selection as part of this year’s Hall of Fame inductees. Unlike regular Grammy categories, the Hall of Fame recognizes recordings that are at least 25 years old and have “lasting qualitative or historical significance”.
In a statement, the Academy said Zombie was chosen “for its fearless critique of oppression, cultural impact, and enduring relevance to political resistance and African musical heritage.”
Reacting to the honour, Fela’s eldest son, Femi Kuti, shared the family’s appreciation on X (formerly Twitter): “Our father’s legacy lives on. We are honoured to accept this Grammy Hall of Fame award on behalf of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. His music continues to inspire & unite people across the world. #Grammy.”
Originally released in Nigeria in 1976 by Coconut Records and later in the UK by Creole Records in 1977, Zombie is regarded as one of Fela’s most provocative and impactful works. The album, with tracks such as “Zombie”, “Mister Follow Follow”, “Observation Is No Crime”, and “Mistake” (recorded live at the 1978 Berlin Jazz Festival), satirised the Nigerian military, comparing soldiers to mindless “zombies” who obey orders without question.
Its popularity sparked fury from the ruling military regime, culminating in a violent 1977 raid on Fela’s Kalakuta Republic commune in Lagos. During the attack, Fela was beaten, his property was destroyed, and his mother, Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a prominent women’s rights activist, was thrown from a window—sustaining injuries that led to her death. The raid became a defining event in Nigeria’s political history and reinforced Fela’s image as a bold musical dissenter.
Fela’s induction places Zombie alongside other influential albums previously recognised by the Grammy Hall of Fame, including works by Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, Cat Stevens, and Santana. Music historians and fans alike have called this a long-overdue global validation of Fela’s profound impact on music and political discourse.
Fela, who passed away in 1997, is credited with creating Afrobeat, a genre blending jazz, highlife, and African rhythms with uncompromising political commentary. His work has influenced generations of musicians and activists, including Seun Kuti, Burna Boy, Questlove, and Beyoncé.
Born in 1938, Fela was a saxophonist, composer, and bandleader whose career was marked by defiance in the face of state violence. Despite repeated imprisonments and suppression, he never backed down from using his music to challenge corruption and authoritarianism. The Grammy Hall of Fame recognition adds to a growing list of posthumous tributes to the late icon, whose life and legacy continue to resonate globally.
