Nigerian music legends Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Sade Adu have officially joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2026 class of inductees.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 14: (L-R) Chris Rock and Inductees Masta Killa, Method Man, RZA, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan speak onstage during the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Peacock Theatre on November 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for RRHOF/AFP (Photo by Theo Wargo / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
The ceremony took place at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday. Fela’s children, Seun, Yeni, Femi, Shalewa and Made, attended the event to represent their late father.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 14: Cynthia Erivo performs onstage during the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Peacock Theatre on November 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for RRHOF/AFP (Photo by Theo Wargo / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
The organisers recognised Fela with the ‘Early Influence Award’ for his impact on global music. The late singer pioneered Afrobeat by blending West African music with American funk and jazz.
His sound later influenced several generations of musicians across the world. Decades after his death, Afrobeat continues to enjoy international recognition.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 14: (L-R) Inductee Peter Hook of Joy Division / New Order, Lauren Mayberry (Chvrches), Abe Cunningham, Fred Sablan and Lance Jackman of Deftones perform onstage during the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Peacock Theatre on November 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for RRHOF/AFP (Photo by Theo Wargo / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
The induction also adds to Fela’s growing list of posthumous honours. In February, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in Los Angeles. He became the first African to receive the honour.
Meanwhile, Sade Adu joined the 2026 inductees in the ‘Performer Category’ alongside her band.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 14: (L-R) John 5, Robert Trujillo, St. Vincent, Brad Wilk and Kirk Hammett perform onstage during the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Peacock Theatre on November 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for RRHOF/AFP (Photo by Theo Wargo / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
The 67-year-old Nigerian-British singer remains popular for her smooth contralto voice and timeless songs. Her best-known hits include ‘Smooth Operator’ and ‘The Sweetest Taboo’. However, she did not attend Saturday’s ceremony.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates influential figures across different genres of popular music. These include rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B and soul.
Other notable names in this year’s class include Queen Latifah, Wu-Tang Clan, Oasis, Luther Vandross and Phil Collins.
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