Barely two months after Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti became the first African musician to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the late singer, composer, and human rights activist has been honoured once again.
This time, Kuti and Sade Adu have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The two globally recognised musicians of Nigerian heritage were celebrated for their impact on the global evolution of music.
Their induction was announced by Lionel Richie and Ryan Seacrest during the reality talent show, American Idol.
Fela was recognised with the Early Influence Award for pioneering Afrobeat, while Sade Adu was inducted for her lasting influence on global music.
The 2026 inductees were unveiled during the annual Hall of Fame announcement segment on American Idol by judge Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame functions both as a museum and an honorary institution, recognising influential figures across genres such as rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B, and soul.
Fela, widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, was honoured under the ‘Early Influence Award’ for blending West African sounds with American funk and jazz, shaping a genre that continues to resonate worldwide.
In February, he was also posthumously honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony in Los Angeles.
Sade Adu was inducted into the ‘Performer Category’. Known for her distinctive contralto voice and timeless songs like ‘Smooth Operator’ and ‘The Sweetest Taboo,’ the 67-year-old Grammy-winning singer remains a defining figure in contemporary soul and pop music.
A total of 18 artistes were inducted across four categories, including Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade Adu, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan in the Performer Category.
In the Early Influence category, inductees included Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons, while the Musical Excellence Award recognised figures such as Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller, and Rick Rubin.