Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has made history as the first African artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, recognising his lasting influence on global music.
He was honoured in the “Early Influence” category, alongside other notable figures including Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Gram Parsons, and Celia Cruz.
Fela is being recognised for his unique sound, which fused West African rhythms with elements of funk and jazz, shaping the development of Afrobeat and influencing generations of musicians worldwide.
He had earlier received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in Los Angeles.
Other 2026 inductees include Sade Adu, Wu-Tang Clan, Luther Vandross, and Phil Collins, across various performance categories.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which celebrates influential figures across rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B, and soul, announced the honourees following votes from more than 1,200 artists, historians, and industry professionals.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for November 14 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
