Recording Academy Honors Music Icons with 2026 Special Merit Awards

On January 31, 2026, the Recording Academy gathered at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles to host the Special Merit Awards. This prestigious ceremony, held just before the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, served as a tribute to the visionaries who have fundamentally altered the landscape of modern music. From the technical innovations of the studio to the magnetic presence of performers on stage, the evening celebrated those who built the industry’s very foundation.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon a legendary roster including Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Fela Kuti, and the late Whitney Houston. As the sole recipient in attendance, Chaka Khan delivered a moving reflection on her career which has spanned more than five decades. Her artistic journey has traversed eight distinct genres, ranging from R&B and jazz to pop, and she spoke passionately about music serving as her ultimate source of truth and healing.

Families of the posthumous honorees accepted the awards on their behalf, marking several emotional highlights throughout the night. A particularly historic moment occurred with the recognition of Fela Kuti, who became the first African artist to be honored with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award. His cousin and family head, Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, accepted the prize, noting that the accolade was a triumph for both Fela’s personal legacy and the broader reach of African culture. Kuti’s rhythmic architecture and political courage continue to be the cornerstone of the global Afrobeat movement.

The Trustees Award, which recognizes significant contributions to music outside of performance, was presented to Bernie Taupin, Sylvia Rhone, and the late Eddie Palmieri. Sylvia Rhone’s inclusion highlighted her status as a trailblazer; she made history as the first Black woman to lead a major record label. Her tenure as the Chair and CEO of Epic Records from 2019 to 2025 cemented her reputation as one of the most influential executives in the business.

The ceremony also paid homage to the late Eddie Palmieri, the iconic pianist and composer who passed away last year at the age of 88. Palmieri’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the history of Latin jazz, having been the very first Latino artist to win a Grammy Award back in 1975. Alongside him, the legendary lyricist Bernie Taupin was celebrated for his decades of poetic contributions that have defined the sound of popular music for generations.

Innovation and social impact were also at the forefront of the evening’s honors. John Chowning received the Technical Grammy Award for his 1967 discovery of FM synthesis, a breakthrough that effectively paved the way for the digital music era. Additionally, the Harry Belafonte Song for Social Change Award was given to Raye for her powerful track “Ice Cream Man,” reinforcing the idea that music remains a vital instrument for social commentary and public discourse.

Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, praised the honorees as an extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres, and the very foundation of modern music. The event underscored that the history of music is not merely a collection of chart-topping hits, but a long-term trajectory of artistic and technological evolution. These awards remind us that legacy is a living force, continuously shaping how we experience the sounds of today and how we envision the melodies of the future.