Afrobeat luminary Fela Kuti and Nigerian-British singer-songwriter Sade Adu have been selected for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a renowned institution dedicated to celebrating music pioneers. This honour recognizes their significant contributions to the genre.
While Fela Kuti is not the first African to be inducted, he is the first African solo artist to receive recognition in the Early Influence category. This distinction highlights his pioneering role in shaping musical landscapes.
Previous African artists recognized by the Hall of Fame include South Africa's Trevor Rabin, inducted in 2017 with the band Yes, and Tanzania's Freddie Mercury, inducted in 2001 as part of the iconic band Queen.
The 2026 inductees were revealed on American Idol by hosts Ryan Seacrest and Lionel Richie.
Sade Adu, 67, will be inducted into the performance category at an upcoming ceremony scheduled for November 14 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. The event will later be broadcast on ABC and Disney+ in December.
Among the other honorees in the Early Influence category are Celia Cruz, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons. The Musical Excellence category will see inductees such as Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller, and Rick Rubin.
Additionally, the class of 2026 includes Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division / New Order, Oasis, Luther Vandross, Wu-Tang Clan, and Ed Sullivan.
The selection process involved a voting body of over 1,200 international music industry experts, alongside an annual fan vote. Nominees were required to have released their first recordings at least 25 years prior to their consideration.
This recognition follows Fela Kuti's previous nominations, including one in 2021. In earlier news, he was also posthumously honored with the 2026 Special Merit Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) by the Recording Academy, and his 1976 album "Zombie" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2025.
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