Fela Anikulapo-kuti on his iconic 1976 album Zombie
27 years after his death, the traditional Fela Kuti kept his ongoing life with his revolutionary type Afrobeats and continued to be recognized by the international stage.
One of this recognition came when Fela Kuti released the 1976 album Zombie became the first and only Nigerian album to attract in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The organization behind the Grammy Awards Recording Academy includes Zombies in its latest Hall of Fame selection.
Unlike other Grammy categories, the Hall of Fame specifically recognizes it as “lasting qualitative or historical significance” and shows lasting effects. To meet the criteria, recording must be at least 25 years old.
Fela Kuti’s eldest son, Femi Kuti, accepted the award on behalf of the Kuti family, thanked him. He shared on X “Our father’s legacy continues. We are honored to accept this Grammy Hall of Fame Award on behalf of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. His music continues to inspire people around the world.”
Nearly three decades after Fela Kuti’s death, his powerful musical reviews on social issues in Nigeria are widely remembered. Zombies are now standing among other famous entries in the Grammy Hall of Fame, adding albums by artists such as Jay-Z, Santana and Cat Stevens.
