People called them animals in human skin, Fela called them zombies. And in 1977, the Nigerian military responded to that insult the only way they knew how; by burning everything down. His home. His studio. His mother’s life.
But nearly 50 years later, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s defiant voice is still echoing across the globe. Now, it’s got a Grammy badge to prove it.
A Long-Overdue Honour from the Grammys
This week, Zombie, Fela’s 1976 masterpiece that tore into Nigeria’s military regime, was inducted into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame.
The Recording Academy called it a “fearless critique of oppression” with “enduring relevance to political resistance and African musical heritage.” With this, Fela becomes the first Nigerian artist ever to be given this honour.
It’s not your regular Grammy win. The Hall of Fame doesn’t reward popularity. It rewards legacy. Only albums at least 25 years old and proven to have shaped the world make the cut. Zombie made it. Because it not only soundtrack resistance but survived it.
From Kalakuta to the World
If you grew up in Nigeria, you’ve heard the lyrics. You’ve seen the album cover. Maybe you’ve even watched the Broadway musical Fela! or jammed to Burna Boy and caught the echoes.
But back in 1976, Zombie was more than music. It was a matchstick. Fela called out the Nigerian military’s blind obedience, comparing soldiers to zombies who “no go think, no go talk.” And Nigeria’s rulers? They took it personal. Very personal.
The following year, soldiers stormed Kalakuta Republic, his commune in Lagos. They beat Fela near death. Burned his property. Destroyed his master tapes. And worst of all, they threw his mother, Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, out of a window. She later died from her injuries. That’s what Zombie cost.
A Country That Tried to Erase Its Prophet
So here’s the uncomfortable truth: For decades, Nigeria refused to properly acknowledge Fela. Not as a national hero. Not as a cultural icon. Not even as the father of Afrobeat.
The government tried to erase him. Censor him. Beat the message out of him. But now, it’s the world that’s doing the honouring. It’s the Grammys, not Nigeria, giving Zombie the flowers it deserves.
And the themes in that album? They’re not relics. Blind loyalty. State violence. Silencing of dissent. You’d think it was released yesterday.
They Couldn’t Kill the Message
But here’s the twist: Despite the beatings, the bans, and the bloodshed, Fela’s voice never went silent. His music did more than survive, it evolved. Today, artists like Seun Kuti, Burna Boy, Falz, and even international stars like Beyoncé draw from his defiance. And now, with this Grammy Hall of Fame induction, the world is finally listening, on his terms.
The Legacy Lives, But Can It Be Matched?
It’s one thing to inherit a name. It’s another to inherit a revolution. Fela’s children; Femi, Seun, Yeni, and now even his grandson Made, have each carried parts of his legacy forward. From music to media to cultural preservation, they’ve kept the fire lit in different ways. But Fela wasa lot more than an artist, he was thunder in human form, a one-man uprising who turned sound into a weapon. His music rattled regimes, and entertaining seemed to be a secondary goal. And living up to that is no small task. Still, maybe the goal isn’t to copy his defiance, but to evolve it for a new era.
After all, every generation has its own enemy, its own beat, its own fight. If Fela set the stage, maybe it’s up to his bloodline to remix the revolution for today’s world.
Art As Resistance. Music As Memory.
Fela taught us that music can be a weapon. That protest doesn’t need permission. That even when your country tries to bury your voice, history will dig it up again.
For young Nigerians, it’s a reminder:
- Create boldly.
- Speak truth to power.
- Leave something behind that matters.
If you’re an artist, make art that bites. If you’re a fan, dig deeper than the beat. And if you’re in power? Be very afraid of the ones with microphones.
Fela Didn’t Win in His Lifetime. But His Message Did.
Fela didn’t win that Grammy while he was alive. But the message in Zombie, that refusal to bow, outlived him. So ask yourself: What are you creating that will outlive you?
For more bold takes on Nigeria’s future, visit our website and follow us @Insidesuccessng for more updates and info. Subscribe to ISN for exclusive content, expert-led events, job opportunities, and more.
Leave a Reply