Music’s biggest night is set to shine even brighter in 2026, as the Recording Academy prepares to honor a remarkable slate of legends and visionaries at its annual Special Merit Awards Ceremony. On December 19, 2025, the Academy announced the recipients of its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustees Award, and Technical Grammy Award—recognitions that highlight not only individual brilliance but also the enduring impact of music across generations and genres.
The Special Merit Awards Ceremony, scheduled for January 31, 2026, at Los Angeles’ historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre, will precede the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, which are set to air live from Crypto.com Arena on February 1. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are a veritable who’s who of modern music: Paul Simon, Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Cher, and Fela Kuti. Each has left an indelible mark on the soundscape of their era—and, in some cases, the world.
Perhaps the most groundbreaking of this year’s recognitions is the inclusion of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, who becomes the first African artist to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. As the Recording Academy noted, Kuti’s creation of Afrobeat in the 1960s—melding funk, jazz, salsa, calypso, and traditional Nigerian rhythms—made him not only a musical innovator but a sociopolitical force. Kuti’s legacy, still celebrated annually through Felabration in Lagos and worldwide, lives on through his children and the countless artists he’s inspired, from Beyoncé to Paul McCartney. The New Yorker even named the podcast series "Fela Kuti: Fear No Man" as its top podcast of 2025, underscoring the artist’s enduring relevance.
Joining Kuti among the Lifetime Achievement Award recipients is Whitney Houston, whose voice and artistry shattered records and expectations. According to the Recording Academy, Houston sold more than 220 million records, made history with seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, and became the first Black artist with three RIAA Diamond-certified albums. Her influence extends beyond music; the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation continues her commitment to uplifting youth, ensuring her spirit resonates for generations.
Paul Simon, with a career spanning seven decades, is another titan being recognized. The Recording Academy highlights Simon’s classics like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "The Sound of Silence," noting his 16 Grammy Awards and dual induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Even after significant hearing loss, Simon returned to the stage in 2025 with his "Quiet Celebration Tour," showing the resilience and creativity that have defined his career.
Carlos Santana’s story is one of fusion and boundary-breaking. With 10 Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammys, Santana’s melding of Afro-Latin, blues, rock, and jazz has influenced generations. His 1999 album Supernatural made history with eight Grammys in one night, and his Las Vegas residency is now in its 14th year. As Rolling Stone ranks him No. 11 on its "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" list, it’s clear Santana’s impact is as enduring as his signature sound.
Chaka Khan, the Queen of Funk, is celebrated as a 10-time Grammy winner and 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Her collaborations span genres and generations, from Stevie Wonder to Prince. The Recording Academy calls her "a living force in music," whose foundation champions wellness and empowerment for women and youth worldwide.
And then there’s Cher, the only artist with No. 1 hits in six consecutive decades. Her influence extends from music to film and television, with an Oscar for Moonstruck, a Grammy for "Believe," and a reputation as a trailblazer in fashion and pop culture. Cher’s world tours and Las Vegas residencies have drawn millions, and her creative evolution continues to inspire new generations of performers.
The Special Merit Awards don’t stop at performers. The Trustees Award, which honors those who have made significant contributions to music outside of performance, will be granted to Bernie Taupin, Eddie Palmieri, and Sylvia Rhone. Taupin, best known for his partnership with Elton John, has helped create over 30 consecutive U.S. Top 40 hits and is a celebrated lyricist and author. Palmieri, who passed away recently, is hailed as a visionary pianist and bandleader who redefined Afro-Caribbean music, winning the first Grammy ever awarded to a Latino artist and influencing salsa and jazz for over seven decades. Sylvia Rhone, a pioneering executive, became the first woman to serve as CEO of a major record label owned by a Fortune 500 company, shaping the rise of hip-hop and championing female artists from MC Lyte to Nicki Minaj.
The Technical Grammy Award will honor John Chowning, whose 1967 discovery of frequency modulation (FM) synthesis revolutionized electronic music. As Variety reports, Chowning’s FM patent, licensed to Yamaha, led to the most successful synthesis engine in electronic instrument history, and his work at Stanford’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics set the standard for computer-music innovation.
"It’s a true honor to recognize this year’s Special Merit Award recipients—an extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres and the very foundation of modern music," said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. "Each of these honorees has made a profound and lasting impact, and we look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements on the eve of Grammy Sunday." (Recording Academy)
Grammy Week 2026 will be a whirlwind of celebration, culminating in the main event on Sunday, February 1. The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will broadcast live on CBS and stream on Paramount+, with additional coverage, red carpet interviews, and exclusive backstage content available at live.grammy.com. The Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, held earlier that day at the Peacock Theater, will recognize the majority of Grammy winners and feature dynamic performances.
This year’s Grammy season also introduces new award categories, including Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover, reflecting the Academy’s ongoing commitment to celebrating a broader spectrum of musical achievement. As CEO Harvey Mason jr. told GRAMMY.com, "These are much-needed updates that ensure those who are making significant contributions to the musical process are properly recognized and have the opportunity to be celebrated on Music’s Biggest Night."
With a lineup that honors icons, innovators, and industry trailblazers, the 2026 Special Merit Awards Ceremony promises to be a poignant reminder of music’s power to inspire, unite, and transform. For fans and artists alike, it’s a moment to celebrate not just the sounds of today, but the legacies that will echo for generations.
