The Recording Academy has officially revealed its 2026 Special Merit Award recipients. This year’s recipients are led by Chaka Khan and the late, great Whitney Houston. These artist will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards, celebrating decades of genre-defining impact that shaped the sound of the world.
“It’s a true honor to recognize this year’s Special Merit Award recipients,” said Recording Academy CEO, Harvey Mason Jr. “An extraordinary group whose influence spans generations, genres and the very foundation of modern music. Each of these honorees has made a profound and lasting impact, and we look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements.”
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston’s recognition comes years after her cousin Dionne Warwick received the same honor. It further cements her family’s deep musical lineage. Houston redefined what vocal excellence sounded like in pop and R&B. She was a six-time Grammy winner with over 200 million records sold worldwide. Beyond the accolades, she shattered racial barriers in pop music, while opening doors for countless Black women to dominate mainstream radio, film, and global stages.
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan, often recognized as the “Queen of Funk,” is a living blueprint for artistic freedom and longevity. With 10 Grammy Awards and a career spanning five decades, Khan seamlessly moved through R&B, funk, pop, jazz, and gospel without ever losing her identity. Chaka Khan helped to normalize collaborations across musical worlds with genre-blending hits alongside Rufus. Those songs included, “I Feel For You,” “Tell Me Something Good,” and “Sweet Thing.”
Afro-Latin legend Carlos Santana will also be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, who passed in 1997, will also be honored posthumously.