Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has made history once again — this time posthumously. His revolutionary 1976 album Zombie has been inducted into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame, making it the first Nigerian album ever to receive the honour.
This milestone comes nearly three decades after Fela’s death in 1997, but his legacy continues to grow — globally and defiantly.
What’s the Grammy Hall of Fame?
Unlike the annual Grammy Awards, the Grammy Hall of Fame honours recordings that are at least 25 years old and possess “qualitative or historical significance.” It’s about timeless impact — and Zombie more than fits the bill.
According to the Recording Academy, the album was chosen “for its fearless critique of oppression, cultural impact, and enduring relevance to political resistance and African musical heritage.”
Why Zombie Matters
Released at the height of Nigeria’s military dictatorship, Zombie wasn’t just music — it was a weapon of resistance. With songs like:
- Zombie
- Mister Follow Follow
- Observation Is No Crime
- Mistake (Live at Berlin Jazz Festival, 1978)
…Fela satirized the Nigerian military, calling soldiers “zombies” who blindly follow orders. It was provocative, bold, and unflinchingly honest — and it got results.
The album sparked national uproar and triggered a brutal 1977 military raid on Fela’s Kalakuta Republic in Lagos. The attack left his commune destroyed, his studio burned, and tragically, his mother — activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti — fatally injured after being thrown from a window.
Family Reacts
Fela’s son, Femi Kuti, took to social media to express the family’s pride:
“Our father’s legacy lives on. We are honoured to accept this Grammy Hall of Fame award on behalf of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. His music continues to inspire & unite people across the world.”
Global Recognition at Last
The Zombie induction puts Fela’s work alongside classics from Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, Cat Stevens, and Santana — a powerful validation of Afrobeat’s global influence.
From Burna Boy and Seun Kuti, to international icons like Beyoncé and Questlove, artists have long cited Fela as a pivotal influence in blending rhythm, rebellion, and reality in music.
Why This Matters
Fela’s work wasn’t just art — it was activism. In an era when many were silent, he dared to speak — and paid the price. His Grammy recognition isn’t just about music; it’s a global salute to courage, truth, and creative resistance.
This award also reinforces Nigeria’s cultural relevance on the world stage — a timely nod as more African artists dominate global charts and reshape mainstream music.
What’s Next?
With documentaries, books, and the Broadway musical Fela! already immortalising him, this Grammy honour could further inspire calls for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, a UNESCO cultural heritage listing, or global educational projects rooted in his legacy.
Fela sang truth to power — and now the world is singing back.
