Legendary Afrobeat musician, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has been posthumously inducted into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame for his politically charged 1976 album, Zombie.
The Grammy Hall of Fame honours recordings that are at least 25 years old and have “lasting qualitative or historical significance.” And coming nearly three decades after his death, Fela emerged the first Nigerian artiste to be so recognised and honoured.
According to the Recording Academy, organiser of the Grammy Hall of Fame, Zombie was selected “for its fearless critique of oppression, cultural impact, and enduring relevance to political resistance and African musical heritage.”
In his reaction, Fela’s eldest son and singer, Femi Kuti shared the family’s excitement on X saying, “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 #Grammy.”
Originally released in Nigeria under Coconut Records in 1976 and later in the UK by Creole Records in 1977, Zombie is widely regarded as one of Fela’s most incendiary and impactful albums.
Featuring tracks like Zombie, Mister Follow Follow, Observation Is No Crime, and Mistake (recorded live at the Berlin Jazz Festival in 1978), the album was a satire of the Nigerian military, likening soldiers to mindless ‘zombies’ who blindly follow orders without question. Its massive commercial success ignited outrage within the military regime of the time, leading to a violent assault on Kalakuta Republic, Fela’s Lagos residence.
During the brutal 1977 raid, Fela was severely beaten, his studio and master tapes were destroyed, and his activist mother, Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was thrown out of the window. She later died from the injuries sustained from the fall.
However, the attack, which was roundly condemned by human rights groups all over the world, deepened Fela’s reputation as a fearless musician, becoming a historic moment in Nigerian socio-political firmament.
Fela’s induction places Zombie alongside other legendary works previously admitted into the Hall of Fame, including albums from Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, Cat Stevens, and Santana.