Rite Foods Limited has congratulated legendary Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, on his posthumous recognition with the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, conferred by the Recording Academy in January 2026.
The global honour reaffirms Fela’s enduring legacy as a fearless cultural icon whose music, activism and philosophy continue to inspire generations across the world.
Rite Foods noted that the recognition resonates strongly with its Fearless Energy Drink brand, which in 2021 became the first brand to confer a posthumous award on the Afrobeat legend. The honour, presented during the Felabration festival at the Afrika Shrine, Lagos, recognised Fela’s audacity, originality and uncompromising voice.
The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award was presented at the Special Merit Awards ceremony in Los Angeles ahead of the 68th Grammy Awards, marking a historic milestone as Fela became the first African artist to receive the honour. The award celebrates his profound influence on global music, culture and socio-political expression.
Commenting on the recognition, the Managing Director of Rite Foods Limited, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, described the award as a fitting tribute to Fela’s fearless spirit.
“Fela Anikulapo Kuti embodied fearlessness in its purest form, using his music to challenge injustice, awaken consciousness and inspire pride in African identity. That same fearless energy is what our brand represents, and we are proud to have been the first to formally honour his legacy posthumously. This Grammy recognition further cements his place among the world’s greatest musical legends,” Adegunwa said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also paid tribute to the late icon in a congratulatory message to the Kuti family, describing Fela as “a fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound.”
Rite Foods continues to celebrate Fela’s enduring influence through Fearless Energy Drink’s sponsorship of Felabration, including the 2025 edition themed “Shakara, No Fear,” where the brand amplified his fearless ethos through youth-focused creative activations, music and cultural expression.
As global acclaim continues to pour in for the Afrobeat legend, Rite Foods and its Fearless Energy Drink brand reaffirm their commitment to celebrating boldness, authenticity and the enduring power of fearless voices.