Music legend Prince is set to receive a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy, according to multiple reports (Fox 5 DC). The announcement comes nearly a decade after the icon’s passing in 2016, reaffirming the profound and lasting impact he left on global music culture.

A seven-time Grammy Award winner, Prince sold more than 150 million records worldwide and transformed the musical landscape across pop, rock, funk, R&B, and soul. Three of his most influential albums — Purple Rain, 1999, and Sign of the Times — have already been inducted into the prestigious Grammy Hall of Fame (Recording Academy). His fearless experimentation, boundary-breaking artistry, and unrivaled stage presence continue to influence generations of musicians (Rolling Stone).

The Lifetime Achievement Award is selected by the Recording Academy’s National Trustees, who honor performers who “made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording” throughout their careers. Industry observers say Prince’s recognition is especially meaningful, given his reputation as one of the most innovative and prolific artists of the modern era (Billboard).

Prince is one of seven honorees this year, joining a distinguished list that includes the late Frankie Beverly, celebrated for his soulful career with Maze; Dr. Bobby Jones, a pioneer in gospel broadcasting; Taj Mahal, a cornerstone of American blues; The Clash, one of punk rock’s most influential bands; Frankie Valli, the iconic lead singer of The Four Seasons; and Roxanne Shanté, a groundbreaking figure in early hip-hop (Recording Academy).

The Recording Academy will present the awards during its Special Merit Awards Ceremony on February 1, held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles — one day before the 67th Grammy Awards. The ceremony serves as a moment to celebrate legacies that shaped the cultural and artistic fabric of music, with Prince’s honor standing out as one of the most anticipated tributes of the year (Associated Press).