Manny Ita
The Recording Academy celebrated the enduring legacies of Fela Kuti, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, and Paul Simon during the Grammy Special Merit Awards on Saturday night at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony was highlighted by the posthumous induction of Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, who became the first African musician to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Accepting the honor alongside his siblings, Femi Kuti underscored the global weight of the moment, stating, “Thank you for bringing our father here. It’s so important for us, it’s so important for Africa, it’s so important for world peace and the struggle.”
Chaka Khan, the only recipient in her category to attend the gala in person, delivered a poignant reflection on her five-decade career in funk and soul. “Music has been my prayer, my healing, my joy, my truth. Through it, I saved my life,” Khan remarked as she accepted her trophy. She paid tribute to the diverse pool of talent she has collaborated with since her debut, adding, “Over 50 years I am blessed to walk alongside extraordinary artists, musicians, writers, producers and creatives—and cuckoos.” The late Whitney Houston was also honored for her monumental impact on pop music, with her sister-in-law and manager Pat Houston noting, “Her voice—that voice!—remains eternal. Her legacy will live forever.”
The evening featured additional tributes to Cher and Carlos Santana, who appeared via video messages, and Paul Simon, who was lauded by lyricist Bernie Taupin as “the greatest American songwriter alive.” Taupin himself received a Trustees Award alongside Sylvia Rhone, the first Black woman to lead a major label, and the late Latin jazz icon Eddie Palmieri. Reflecting on his own long-awaited recognition, Taupin shared a list of creative mandates for the next generation, including the advice to “avoid cliches” and “never write songs in cubicles.” The ceremony served as the prestigious prelude to the main Grammy Awards, cementing the status of these icons as foundational pillars of the global music industry.
