Afrobeat icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has made history, as his legendary 1976 album Zombie was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2025, making him the first Nigerian artist to receive this honour.
Nearly three decades after his passing, the Recording Academy has recognised Zombie for its cultural and political significance, praising its fearless stance against oppression.
Unlike the standard Grammy awards, the Hall of Fame celebrates recordings that have stood the test of time, honouring works that are at least 25 years old and have shaped music history. Fela’s eldest son, Femi Kuti, shared the family’s excitement on social media, emphasising how his father’s legacy continues to inspire and unite people worldwide.
Originally released under Coconut Records in Nigeria and later Creole Records in the UK, Zombie remains one of Fela’s most powerful works.
The album’s title track and songs like “Mister Follow Follow” and “Observation Is No Crime” sharply criticised the Nigerian military, likening soldiers to “zombies” who blindly obey orders without question. T
His bold artistic statement provoked intense backlash from the government, culminating in a violent 1977 attack on Fela’s Kalakuta Republic, where his studio was destroyed, he was brutally beaten, and his mother, Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, suffered fatal injuries.
Despite the harsh retaliation, Fela refused to be silenced, using music as a tool for resistance and social change. His influence spread far beyond Nigeria, shaping the global music landscape and inspiring artists across generations from Burna Boy and Seun Kuti to Questlove and Beyoncé. His unique Afrobeat fusion, blending jazz, highlife, and traditional African rhythms with politically charged lyrics, continues to resonate worldwide.
Joining Zombie in the Hall of Fame are landmark albums from artists like Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, Cat Stevens, and Santana. Many music historians view this recognition as long overdue, considering Fela’s impact on modern music and activism.
Since his passing in 1997, his story has been told through books, documentaries, and even the Broadway musical Fela!, ensuring that his legacy remains as powerful today as it was decades ago.