History was made in Los Angeles this weekend during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards season. The pioneer of Afrobeat, FelaAnikulapo–Kuti, was posthumously honoured with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony. This landmark recognition makes Fela the first African artist to receive this honour, a moment that cements the global legacy of Nigerian music.
The Recording Academy bestowed this honour upon Fela alongside an elite group of international music heavyweights, including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon. In an official statement, Harvey Mason Jr, CEO of the Recording Academy, described the honorees as an extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres, and the very foundation of modern music.
The ceremony was a significant family affair, with Femi Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Shalewa Kuti, and Kunle Kuti present to accept the award on behalf of their father. The pride of the Kuti dynasty was evident as they took to the stage to acknowledge Fela’s enduring impact.
During the acceptance speech, Yeni Kuti expressed her gratitude to the Academy and the family’s supporters. “I want to thank the Grammys for this wonderful award. I’m sure my father is smiling down on us, she said. She also took a moment to recognise the family members who were absent, saying, I want to acknowledge my siblings who couldn’t be here tonight, Motunrayo and Seun, and my nephew who is carrying Afrobeat to another level, Made.â€
Femi Kuti followed with a tribute to his father’s mission and the global community that has sustained Afrobeat for decades. “I would like to thank all the people carrying Afrobeat that are in this place tonight. DJs, the press, our label Partisan Records, our lawyers, fans all over the world, he noted. He concluded with a reflection on the weight of the moment: Thank you for bringing our father here. It’s so important for Africa. It’s so important for world peace and struggle.â€
This recognition by the Recording Academy serves as a definitive validation of Fela’s role as a foundational figure in contemporary music, whose message continues to inspire millions worldwide in 2026.
Decades after his passing, FelaAnikulapo–Kuti is set to be honoured on one of music’s biggest stages. The legendary Afrobeat pioneer will receive a Special Merit Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, recognising the lasting impact of his work on global music.
The honour will be presented at the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards ceremony on January 31, 2026, during Grammy Week, a day before the main awards show. Fela will be celebrated alongside an impressive group of music greats including WhitneyHouston, ChakaKhan, Cher and Paul Simon.
While Fela never won a Grammy during his lifetime, his influence has continued to resonate far beyond his era. In 2025, his 1976 album “Zombie†was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, with the award accepted by his sons, Femi and SeunKuti, a moment that reaffirmed just how far his music has travelled.
Announcing the honourees on Instagram, the Recording Academy described Fela as follows: “An architect of Afrobeat, honored for a lifetime of influence. Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician, producer, arranger, political radical, activist, and the father of Afrobeat. In the 1960s, he created the genre by combining funk, jazz, salsa, calypso, and a blend of traditional Nigerian rhythms.â€
With this recognition, Fela joins a distinguished list of past Special Merit Award recipients including Whitney Houston, Cher, Paul Simon, Chaka Khan, Carlos Santana, Sylvia Rhone, JohnChowning, EddiePalmieri and BernieTaupin.
As the 2026 Grammy Awards approach, Nigerian stars are back in the mix. BurnaBoy is up for Best African Music Performance with “Love†and Best Global Music Album with “No Sign of Weakness,†while Davido earns a nod for “With You†featuring OmahLay in the Best African Music Performance category. AyraStarr and Wizkid also make the list with “Gimme Dat.â€
À tout juste 24 ans, Rema confirme son statut de superstar en livrant un concert hors norme à l’Accor Arena de Paris ce samedi 28 juin 2025. Dès 18h30, plus de 20 000 fans enthousiastes se massent aux portes de la salle mythique de Bercy, l’ambiance déjà électrique avant même les premières notes. Dès les premiers …
C’est la douche froide pour les admirateurs de Wizkid en Amérique du Nord. L’artiste nigérian, figure emblématique de l’Afrobeats, a déçu de nombreux fans en annulant de façon soudaine plusieurs dates clés de sa tournée très attendue, Morayo. Annoncée en grande pompe en mars dernier à travers une vidéo promotionnelle, cette tournée marquait le retour …
London’s urban airwaves just got a fresh boost of energy—TeeJay Ameen, one of the Africa’s most dynamic and rising voices in music and pop culture, has officially joined the presenter lineup at The Beat London 103.6FM.
Known for his vibrant energy, sharp cultural insight, and undeniable connection to the pulse of African entertainment, Teejay has a strong background in broadcasting, event hosting, and talent management, carving a name for himself as more than just a presenter, he’s a culture curator.
The Beat London 103.6FM has long been a cultural staple, giving a platform to unique voices and the addition of Teejay Ameen to the team signals a continued investment in the next generation of broadcasters who are in tune with the culture and unafraid to shake things up. Teejay’s presence in UK media has been steadily rising, from his viral social content to dynamic interviews with some of the hottest names in music and entertainment. His style is raw, relatable and authentic: qualities that perfectly align with The Beat London’s commitment to representing the pulse of the city.
Speaking about his new role, TeeJay said:
“Joining The Beat London feels like coming home. I’ve always admired the platform and its purpose while I was back home in Lagos, Nigeria. I’m here to make noise, amplify local voices, and keep the vibes 100% real every time we’re on air.”
Teejay Ameen
According to him, he will be hosting one of the flagship Afrobeats shows on the station called AFROVERSE alongside Rod Rantz and DJ Meks, the show is set to platform not just Afrobeats but African music at large. Listeners can expect a mix of hard-hitting interviews, exclusive tracks and TeeJay’s signature style—raw, witty, and relentlessly engaging. Whether he’s breaking the next big artist or taking deep dives into hot topics in the African music scene, one thing’s for sure: his presence will be felt.
Catch Teejay Ameen live on The Beat London 103.6FM every Thursdays, 9-11pm BST starting from the 15th of May 2025.
Beat London 103.6FM Schedules
You can listen on DAB radio, online at www.thebeat1036.com, or through the TuneIn app.
In this month's Best West African Songs list, OkayAfrica travels through Côte d'Ivoire, where coupé-décalé is still ruling the scene, Ghana, where artists like Lali x Lola experiment with Afropop-influenced sounds, and Nigeria, where legends make triumphant comebacks.
Tiwa Savage "You4Me" (Nigeria)
The Queen of Afrobeats,Tiwa Savage, is entering a new era. Here, she returns to her R&B roots, ditching percussion for guitars and tender lyrics. After releasing the reggae-infused "Forgiveness" last year, "You4Me" plays like an earnest, feel-good contemporary R&B track that still carries her subversive touch. The track samples Tamia's "So Into You," drawing clear connections between the influences Savage is drawing from for her upcoming project and the sounds she is looking to create. As is familiar with Savage's work, the writing is tightly constructed, and well-placed riffs anchor the vocals.
Serge Beynaud “Taper Dedans” (Côte d’Ivoire)
One of the prominent champions of coupé-decalé and loko loko, Serge Beynaud's new track "Taper Dedans" is instantly infectious and club-ready. The track is enlivened by a playful call-and-response, repetitive hooks that stick to the brain, and an explosive beat that would make a perfect soundtrack to an end-of-year music festival. With over a decade of working in the Ivorian music industry, Beynaud is one of the ardent voices that have continued to embody the communal and transformative essence of coupé-decalé while adding a modern spin.
Reekado Banks “Mukutu” (Nigeria)
In "Mukutu,"Reekado Banks keeps things seductively simple. Singing over a bouncy yet stripped-down beat, Banks offers a splashy, beach-ready track for the summer. More than a decade since his debut, it's clear that Banks still knows what it takes to make a hit song.
Dayo Lamar “Woody” (Côte d'Ivoire)
Dayo Lamar's "Woody" lends itself to classic hip-hop and EDM sensibilities. Executed as if in one breath, Lamar raps over a thumping beat, clearing his mind and getting his thoughts out without an interlude or chorus. "Woody" is a short, well-defined, and brilliantly executed confessional that places sufficient trust in the sharpness of Lamar's rap flows, the slimness of the beat, and the precision with which he delivers his message.
Team Paiya “Révolté” feat. Le Grand Homme (Côte d'Ivoire)
In many ways, Team Paiya's music carries an urgency that's difficult to explain yet essential to their impressive discography. Even though they were formed in 2022 and haven't been around for long in the star-studded music scene in Côte d'Ivoire, their energetic, blended approach to music has made them a crucial part of the current success of Ivorian music. In "Révolté," their latest track, the crew blends coupé décalé, rap, and boucan in a signature sound they call "maimouna 2.0." Like their previous hits, "Révolté" has an explosive, thrilling essence that, yet again, proves how attentive Team Paiya is to the sounds and messages that move the youth.
Joyce Olong "WWYD" (Nigeria)
Nigerian indie artist Joyce Olong created much of her latest, full-length project, Soseo, in Ghana. Tucked away in a serene and spiritually charged space, Olong became a channel through which several ethereal, otherworldly songs were birthed. "WWYD," a groovy, bewitching track, is one of them. Starting with short, sharp chants and an echoey, trance-like beat, "WWYD" quickly segues into a gentle pep before Olong's soothing voice enters, asking questions and beseeching a love interest. Known for languid sounds that inspire reflection and easy living, Olong takes these qualities (her most powerful artistic qualities) and throws them into a highly experimental pot, where everything feels light, honest, and aggressively beautiful.
Lali X Lola "Unstable" feat. Oiza x Meyi (Ghana/Nigeria)
Fast-rising Ghanaian musical duo Lali X Lola share much in common with their Nigerian counterparts, Oiza x Meyi. They're both identical twins, and their music sits at the fringe of the mainstream, often melding R&B with indie and exploring Afropop and folk. In their first and fitting collaboration, both duos bring their well-oiled charm, playful but sensitive lyrics, and experimental musicality to a lively track. "Unstable" explores classic themes of self-preservation, ultimately recognizing misdeeds and reaffirming one's strength amidst a chaotic relationship. Both groups share the same concerns regarding matters of the heart, and because they're both excellent documentarians of the state of modern romance, they're compelling to listen to.
Demmi "Still Rolling" (Ghana)
Ghanaian artist and producer Demmi (McDonald Otubuah) is an ardent student of modern Afropop. Thanks to his producer background, Demmi collects references from well-known and obscure sounds, which he then simmers into groovy yet deeply personal Afropop tracks. In his latest drop, "Still Rolling," that formula comes into play excellently. His lyricism is personal and anecdotal, the beat experimental but club-ready. For Demmi, "Still Rolling" is an alluring tease of something big to come.
Melissa "Tattoo" feat. Blaqbonez (Ghana)
Ghanaian R&B star Melissa teams up with Nigerian rapper and singer Blaqbonez for a sultry, emotion-heavy number on "Tattoo." Covering the plains of desire and tease, "Tattoo" evokes a blurry image of a sweaty dance floor filled with willing love interests. Blaqbonez's raspy tone and playfully brash lyrics complement Melissa's airy, fluttering voice. Ultimately, "Tattoo" blends the softness of R&B with the subtle bounce of Afropop into a song that would sound magical after a dip in the pool on a hot summer day.
Mádé Kuti’s new single “I Won’t Run Away” is a soulful anthem for anyone on a journey of self-discovery and growth.
In this track, Mádé opens up about the challenges of confronting one’s flaws and the beauty of striving to be better, for yourself and for the people around you. As he reflects, “I was thinking a lot about growth, and uncovering the characteristics that define me. I realised how easy it is for people to be weighed down by their flaws and thought there was nothing more beautiful than a person that could look at themselves objectively and strive to be better not only for their own sake, but for the people around them, their community, and the world at large. I Won’t Run Away is about perseverance, seeking the best version of yourself and challenging your flaws head on.”
Following his earlier singles “No More Wars” and “Stand Tall” from 2022, this new release continues Mádé’s journey of creating music that speaks to the soul, inspiring listeners to stand strong and grow in the face of life’s challenges.
Afrobeat lit up the Coachella stage in a way that only Seun Kuti could deliver.
Performing at The Outdoor Theatre over the weekend, the band brought pure fire to the desert, and their electric take on ‘Na Dem’ had the crowd dancing, swaying, and completely caught up in the rhythm.
From the first horn blast to the last drumbeat, Seun held the audience in the palm of his hand. Backed by the powerhouse Egypt 80 band, the music was rich, raw, and full of feeling. A perfect reminder of why Afrobeat continues to hold such power across generations.
As ‘Na Dem’ echoed through the night air, it stirred something deeply familiar. For many, it was a moment that called back the spirit of Fela — a wave of sound and soul that once shook the world. And now, decades later, Seun continues to carry that rhythm forward, with his own fire and force.
Whether you’ve followed Seun’s journey from the start or you’re just discovering Afrobeat’s pulse, this was one of those Coachella moments that lingers long after the last note.
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