Seun Kuti Reveals Why He Won’t Attend Grammy Ceremony Honouring His Father Fela

Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has revealed why he won’t attend the Grammy ceremony honouring his late father Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

Fela, a legendary Afrobeat pioneer, is set to make history as the first African artist to receive a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, nearly 30 years after his death.

The Recording Academy confirmed that the “King of Afrobeat” will be honoured at the 2026 Grammy Awards, highlighting a long-overdue recognition of his revolutionary music and influence on the global music scene he often challenged during his life.

The award will be presented at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony on Saturday, January 31, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, a day before the main 68th Grammy Awards event.

Fans and musicians around the world have celebrated the news, hailing it as a well-deserved tribute to one of Africa’s most iconic cultural figures.

Fela’s son, Seun Kuti, who leads the legendary Egypt 80 band, called the honour a win for Afrobeat and politically conscious music.

He revealed, however, that travel restrictions will prevent him from attending the ceremony in person.

Seun said, “We are all proud as a family. It is just a shame that I can’t be there physically to join my family to accept the honour because of travel restrictions.

“Trump has banned me because of talks of Christian genocide. Nevertheless, the family is proud. It’s a good day for African music, Afrobeat culture, and resistance music.”

The award will be officially received by Fela’s other children Yeni, Femi, and Kunle Kuti, who continue to preserve his legacy through the New Afrika Shrine and other projects linked to the former Kalakuta Republic.

Fela Kuti, who died in 1997 at 58, is recognised for creating Afrobeat—a fusion of West African highlife, jazz, funk, and traditional rhythms—and using his music to fight military rule, corruption, and social injustice.

The Recording Academy praised his “inestimable contributions” to global music and noted that his sound and message helped lay the foundation for today’s Afrobeats artists dominating international charts.

He joins a prestigious group of 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, including Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon.

This honour follows the 2025 induction of Fela’s 1976 album “Zombie” into the Grammy Hall of Fame, cementing his lasting influence.

A special live tribute to Fela is also planned in Los Angeles during Grammy weekend, celebrating his music, courage, and enduring spirit.

KanyiDaily recalls that Seun Kuti recently accused Wizkid’s fans of disrespecting his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, by comparing Wizkid to the legendary Afrobeat pioneer.