By Ayomide Otitoju
Legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been posthumously inducted into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame for his iconic 1976 album Zombie, nearly three decades after his death.
The Recording Academy, organisers of the Grammy Awards, announced the honour this week, marking Fela as the first Nigerian artiste to be inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame. Unlike regular Grammy categories, the Hall of Fame recognises recordings that are at least 25 years old and possess “lasting qualitative or historical significance.”
In a statement, the Academy described Zombie as a fearless critique of authoritarianism, noting its “enduring relevance to political resistance and African musical heritage.”
Reacting to the news, Fela’s son, Femi Kuti, wrote 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.”
Released in Nigeria in 1976 and in the UK in 1977, Zombie features tracks such as Mister Follow Follow and Observation Is No Crime. Its sharp satire of Nigeria’s military provoked a brutal state-led attack on Fela’s Kalakuta Republic, resulting in the destruction of his property and the death of his mother, renowned activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
The album joins legendary works from Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, and Santana in the Hall of Fame. Fela, who died in 1997, is globally recognised as the creator of Afrobeat—a fusion of jazz, highlife, and traditional African rhythms—whose influence spans generations and continents.
