Fela’s ‘Zombie’ Becomes First Nigerian Album Inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame

Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been posthumously inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for his 1976 classic album Zombie, making it the first Nigerian album ever to receive the prestigious recognition.

The Recording Academy, organisers of the Grammy Awards, announced the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees on Thursday, describing Zombie as a “fearless critique of oppression” and praising its enduring cultural and political significance. The Hall of Fame honours recordings that are at least 25 years old and have made a lasting impact on music history.

“Zombie was selected for its fearless critique of oppression, cultural impact, and enduring relevance to political resistance and African musical heritage,” the Academy noted in a statement.

Reacting to the news, Fela’s son and fellow musician, Femi Kuti, expressed the family’s pride in a post on X (formerly Twitter):

“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”

Released in 1976 under Coconut Records in Nigeria and reissued by Creole Records in the UK a year later, Zombieremains one of Fela’s most iconic and politically provocative works. Its title track used biting satire to liken Nigerian soldiers to mindless zombies who follow orders blindly — a message that deeply enraged the military government of the time.

The album’s immense popularity was met with brutal retaliation. In 1977, Fela’s commune, the Kalakuta Republic, was attacked by Nigerian soldiers in a violent raid that resulted in the destruction of his studio and master tapes. Fela himself was severely beaten, and his mother, Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a prominent activist, was thrown from a window during the assault. She later died from her injuries.

That tragic episode, widely condemned by human rights organisations, became a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history and further established Fela as a fearless voice against injustice and authoritarianism.

Fela’s induction places him alongside music legends such as Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, Cat Stevens, and Santana, whose works have also been immortalised in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Born in 1938, Fela was a saxophonist, composer, and activist who pioneered Afrobeat — a genre that fused jazz, highlife, funk, and traditional African rhythms with unapologetic political commentary. Despite repeated arrests, harassment, and state violence, Fela remained defiant in his artistic mission, using music as a tool of resistance and truth.

His influence continues to echo globally, inspiring artists like Seun Kuti, Burna Boy, Beyoncé, and Questlove, and sparking movements of cultural pride and political consciousness. The latest honour adds to a growing list of posthumous tributes, including documentaries, biographies, and the Broadway musical Fela!

Nearly three decades after his death in 1997, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti remains a towering figure in global music history. The Grammy Hall of Fame recognition of Zombie is not just a celebration of one album, but a long-overdue acknowledgment of a legacy that redefined African music and challenged oppressive power through sound.