In a landmark moment for African music history, the Recording Academy has officially inducted Fela Kuti ’s seminal 1977 album Zombie into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame, class of 2025. This honor solidifies Fela’s legacy as one of the most influential and uncompromising voices in global music, marking a proud and powerful chapter in the recognition of African artistry on the world stage.
The GRAMMY Hall of Fame Award, established to honor recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old, now includes one of the most politically charged and sonically revolutionary albums ever to come out of the continent. Zombie is more than just an album; it is a searing, fearless critique of Nigeria’s military regime at the time, delivered through complex polyrhythms, hypnotic horn sections, and Fela’s unmistakable voice of defiance.
The induction plaque, signed by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and GRAMMY Museum CEO Michael Sticka, reads:
Inducted Recording | Album: Zombie
Artist, Songwriter, Producer: Fela Kuti
For the Kuti family and Afrobeat devotees around the world, this is more than just a symbolic gesture. It is an institutional acknowledgment of Fela’s genius, activism, and cultural contribution. As captured in celebratory reels shared online, Fela’s children and grandchildren received the award with pride, speaking to the legacy that continues to reverberate through music, politics, and performance art.
Zombie was a sonic grenade aimed at systemic oppression—and the explosion is still echoing decades later. From Lagos to London, from protest marches to dance floors, the spirit of Fela lives on in artists like Burna Boy, Erykah Badu, Wizkid, and The Roots. His music laid the blueprint for Afrobeat and inspired countless other genres in and beyond Africa.
This Hall of Fame induction comes at a pivotal time, as global conversations about Black freedom, resistance, and artistic autonomy continue to evolve. It underscores the urgent relevance of Fela’s message and the timelessness of his music.
As the world celebrates this milestone, one thing is clear: Fela Anikulapo Kuti didn’t just make music—he made history. And now, history has rightfully placed him among the immortals.
Stay tuned to Music Custodian for more exclusive news and deep dives into the milestones that shape our sound.
