Barely two months after receiving a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has earned yet another global honour—this time alongside British-Nigerian music icon Sade Adu.
Both legendary artists have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their legacy as two of the most influential figures in the global music landscape.
The announcement was made during the 2026 Hall of Fame reveal segment on the popular reality show American Idol, with judge Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest unveiling the prestigious list of inductees.
Fela Kuti was recognised with the Early Influence Award for his groundbreaking role in creating Afrobeat—a genre that fuses traditional West African sounds with elements of jazz and American funk. Decades after his passing, his music continues to shape global sounds and inspire generations of artists.
The honour comes shortly after Kuti was posthumously awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in Los Angeles earlier this year, further solidifying his enduring impact on music and activism.
Sade Adu, celebrated for her smooth contralto voice and timeless hits like Smooth Operator and The Sweetest Taboo, was inducted in the Performer Category. At 67, the Grammy-winning singer remains a defining voice in contemporary soul and pop music.
In total, 18 artists were inducted across four categories. The Performer Category includes notable names such as Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
The Early Influence category features icons like Celia Cruz, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Gram Parsons, alongside Fela Kuti. Meanwhile, the Musical Excellence Award recognised industry contributors including Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller, and Rick Rubin.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame continues to celebrate artists who have shaped the evolution of music across genres—from rock and pop to hip-hop, R&B, and soul—honouring legacies that transcend borders and generations.
