Afrobeat icon Femi Kuti has praised the enduring global influence of his late father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, saying that “hardly any great musician, past and present,” has escaped the impact of the Afrobeat pioneer’s revolutionary sound.

Femi’s remarks come as Fela Kuti received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday, becoming the first African artist to earn the prestigious honour from the Recording Academy.

The award was announced during the Grammy ceremony and accepted on behalf of the family by Femi, Yeni, and Kunle Kuti.

“The honour is all ours to present a Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Fela Kuti,” the Academy stated.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE News in Los Angeles, shared on Monday, Femi described the recognition as long overdue and a powerful validation of his father’s artistic independence and genius.

“I was surprised because they called us to tell us he was going to receive it, and I was shocked. I was like, wow.

“It was an awesome, good feeling. I’ve always known my father was a genius. I’ve always respected and adored him,” said Femi, himself a six-time Grammy nominee.

He said Fela’s work ranked alongside the greatest composers of his era, despite deliberately staying outside mainstream culture.

“Growing up, his music was always special. We loved reggae, funk, and jazz, but coming back to listen to him, I felt he was on the same level as any great composer or artist at that time,” he said.

According to Femi, while Fela strongly influenced mainstream musicians across genres, he never sought popular approval.

“He had great influence with mainstream musicians. He was never mainstream. I would say he didn’t participate.

“He was more focused on what he wanted to achieve musically,” he added.

Femi said the Grammy recognition validates Fela’s uncompromising independence.

“So it was fantastic news that, wow, a man who stood by his own rules is rewarded,” he said.

He also described the award as a milestone for Africa, noting that Fela’s recognition carries continental significance.

“Many Africans have done quite well in the music scene. So for him to be the first musician from Africa to be awarded, it’s a great deal for us and for us,” he said.

Femi added that the Recording Academy must have carefully considered Fela’s global cultural impact before making the decision.

“They must have sat down to say, he deserves it. Beyoncé admires him, Jay-Z. Hip hop was influenced by him.

“So hardly any great musician, past and present, that has not heard or was influenced by his music,” he said.

Responding to critics of the award, Femi dismissed any controversy, stressing that the family did not lobby for the honour.

“And if anybody is complaining, go and create your own award,” he said.