Legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, becoming the first Nigerian artist to receive the honor.
The 2026 inductees were announced during the annual Hall of Fame reveal segment on American Idol by judge Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame serves as both a museum and an honorary institution, celebrating the most influential figures in popular music—spanning rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B, and soul.
Fela, the late Nigerian singer widely recognised as the pioneer of Afrobeat, was inducted under the ‘Early Influence Award.’
By blending West African musical traditions with American funk and jazz, Kuti helped shape a genre whose impact continues to resonate worldwide, decades after his death.
In February, he was also posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony in Los Angeles.
Fela will be recognised in the “Early Influence” category alongside American rapper Queen Latifah, Cuban legend Celia Cruz, rapper MC Lyte, and country rock pioneer Gram Parsons.
Nigerian-born British singer Sade Adu will also be honored in the “Performer” category.
She is recognised alongside Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
However, global stars including Shakira, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, New Edition, and Pink did not make the final list despite being nominated.
Organisers said more than 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals participated in the voting process.
The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 14 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
Fela also made history in January as the first African musician to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award comes nearly 30 years after his death and two years after the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category.
Packaged by Temitayo Afolabi
