By Uboh-Ekong Treasure
Afrobeat bandleader Seun Anikulapo Kuti is taking his sound and his father’s enduring legacy to new global heights with a renewed Grammy campaign that underscores both his musical evolution and the growing international reach of African music.
The youngest child of Fela Anikulapo has submitted Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) [Deluxe Edition] for consideration in the Best Global Music Album category. In a post on his Facebook page, Seun also revealed entries for Best African Music Performance, featuring two collaborative singles: Stand Well (Grand Stand Version) with American hip-hop pioneers De La Soul, and Emi Aluta (Zamrock Remix) with Zambian-born rapper Sampa The Great.
This isn’t Seun Kuti’s first Grammy campaign. In 2019, his 2018 album Black Times earned a nomination in the Best World Music Album category at the 61st Grammy Awards, further establishing his standing as one of Africa’s most globally recognized bandleaders.
The announcement positions Seun Kuti and his band, Egypt 80, among a growing number of African artists seeking recognition within the Recording Academy’s recently expanded global categories.
For Seun Kuti, Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) represents more than a musical release it is a statement of continuity, conviction, and creative independence.
The project was produced by Sodi Marciszewer, one of his father’s former studio engineers, and executive produced by global rock icon Lenny Kravitz. Together, they built a soundscape that merges the raw instrumentation of classic Afrobeat with forward-looking production and socially conscious storytelling.
Seun Kuti has described the album as an expression of “revolutionary optimism,” a reflection of his belief that African music can remain politically engaged while still appealing to a global audience. The deluxe edition expands on this vision with cross-continental collaborations that highlight the unity of African rhythm and global sound.
Afrobeat continues to influence and inspire the global music scene, and he continues pushing creative and cultural boundaries on the global stage.
