AFROBEAT PIONEER and activist Fela Kuti has been honoured with a Blue Plaque at his former west London home. 

The plaque was unveiled this morning at an address in Shepherd’s Bush, where the iconic musician once lived in 1958.

It is the first permanent plaque honouring the Afrobeat originator. 

Speaking at the unveiling, his daughter, Omosalewa Anikulapo-Kuti said: “Thank you so much everyone on behalf of the entire Kuti family. 

“I am so grateful and thankful for such a tremendous act of recognition to Fela Kuti. 

“He contributed a lot to society and that was undisputable, and we are very grateful to you for commemorating his legacy. 

“It is an honour to be here,” she added. 

His former British manager and friend, Rikki Stein, told the crowd at the unveiling that Kuti’s music will continue to touch the lives of people around the world. 

He said: “His music is incredible and at his funeral people were shouting and singing ‘Fela’s music will live forever’ and this is true, through the extraordinary legacy that he left us –with those 50 albums.” 

Kuti arrived in London in 1958, to study trumpet performance and composition at Trinity College of Music (now Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance). 

12 Stanlake Road, Shepherd’s Bush, was the address that he first lived in when he came to the UK, while he was a music student.

He later went on to live in nearby Ladbroke Grove, before settling in Bayswater. 

During his time in London, he formed his band Koola Lobitos, which created the style of music now known as Afrobeat. 

Kuti was a gifted Nigerian musician and visionary. 

His straightforward nature and Pan-African philosophies made him a hero to many on the African continent and those in the diaspora. 

He remains a musical and cultural icon and his influence is still seen and felt around the world today. 

The installation is the latest addition of several heritage plaques being installed across London by Nubian Jak Community Trust, to commemorate the lives of influential black historical figures. 

Dr Jak Beula, founder of the Nubian Jak Community Trust, said: “Without people like Fela, we would have no plaques, so I am really honoured and gracious and privileged to have memorialised a god and a legend.”