Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and singer Sade Adu have been recognised by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their contributions to music.
The organisation announced the 2026 inductees on Monday night, featuring a lineup of artists from different genres and eras.
This year’s class includes eight performers and several recipients of special honours for influence and musical contributions.
Sade Adu, known worldwide for her smooth vocals and her music from the 1980s and 1990s, was chosen for the Performer category. Songs like ‘Smooth Operator’, ‘The Sweetest Taboo’, and ‘No Ordinary Love’ helped build her international reputation. Her influence continues today, with many contemporary artists referencing her sound.
Other artists in the Performer category include Oasis, Iron Maiden, Joy Division and New Order, Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
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Fela Anikulapo Kuti received the Early Influence Award for his role in shaping Afrobeat and his impact on global music.
His songs, such as ‘Water No Get Enemy’ and ‘Zombie’, blended highlife, jazz, and funk with social themes that challenged political systems and inspired musicians in Africa and around the world.
He joins other Early Influence recipients like Celia Cruz, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons.
The Hall of Fame also named the recipients of the Musical Excellence Award: songwriter Linda Creed, producers Arif Mardin and Jimmy Miller, and Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin. They were recognised for their work on major recordings over several decades.
Artists become eligible for induction if their first commercial recording was released at least 25 years ago. The Class of 2026 will be inducted on November 14 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
Sade Adu and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti were nominated in previous years before being recognised this year.
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