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Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised legendary musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti following his Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described Fela as more than a musician, calling him “a fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound.”
The president stated Fela’s influence on generations of Nigerian musicians and the global music scene, noting that he defined Afrobeat and laid the groundwork for the worldwide rise of Afrobeats.
“The award is an affirmation of his enduring global influence and the foundational role he has played in the evolution and impact of Africa on modern music.
“He defined Afrobeat, and you can hear and see his influence in generations of Nigerian musicians and in Afrobeats and beyond.”
Tinubu also referenced Yoruba mythology in celebrating Fela’s legacy, saying the musician had “transcended to a higher plane as an Orisa” and is now eternal.
The president further affirmed that Fela’s influence continues to resonate worldwide, declaring that “Fela lives.”
Fela is the first African artist to receive the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition of his global impact and the foundational role he played in shaping modern music.
