Special Merits Awards 2026: The Recording Academy has officially announced its Special Merits Awards for 2026. Set to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustee Award, and Technical Grammy Award are names like Fela Kuti, Whitney Houston, and Cher among others. Known for their immense contribution to culture and arts, these names have defined entire generations with their work.
Mentioning Fela Kuti as one of the recipients of the 2026 Special Merits Awards, he is one of the prominent global legends shaping Afrobeats music history. Describing him as the ‘architect of Afrobeat’, the Grammys made him the only Nigerian on the list of the honorees of 2026.
Who is Fela Kuti?
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, a Nigerian musician, producer, bandleader, and vocal political activist, passed away in 1997. One of the pioneers of Afrobeat, he synthesised elements of funk, jazz, salsa, and traditional Nigerian rhythms. He not only dominated the field of music but also social commentary, using his music as a catalyst for change.
His influence spanned generations and inspired global icons like Beyonce, Paul McCartney, and Thorn Yorke. With Kuti’s Afrobeat, a global counter-cultural movement was born, giving African music a global stage. While Kuti does not have a Grammy award to his name, this is his first recognition by The Recording Academy.
Some of Fela Kuti’s iconic songs include ‘Zombie,’ ‘Lady’, ‘Water No Get Enemy’, ‘Gentleman,’ and ‘Shuffering and Shmiling.’
Special Merits Awards 2026: Lifetime Achievement Grammy
According to the social media post, the Special Merits Awards 2026 will be held on January 31 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre. One of the biggest honours from the Academy, the other recipients include Whitney Houston, Cher, Chaka Khan, Carlos Santana and Paul Simon. Bernie Taupin, Eddie Palmieri and Sylvia Rhone are the Trustees Award honorees, and John Chowning is the Technical Grammy Award honoree.
Additionally, the Songwriters Hall of Fame announced the posthumous induction of Jerry Ragovoy, known for his works like ‘Time Is on My Side,’ ‘Piece of My Heart,’ and ‘Cry Baby’ among others.