Legendary Afrobeat artiste, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and iconic British-Nigerian singer, Sade Adu have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
They were honoured for their enduring influence on the global evolution of music.
On Monday, American Idol judge Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest announced the inductees during the annual hall of fame reveal segment of the show.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame serves as both a museum and honourary institution, celebrating the most influential figures in popular music – spanning rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B and soul.
Globally recognised as the pioneer of Afrobeat, Fela was inducted under the ‘Early Influence Award’ category alongside American rapper, Queen Latifah, Cuban music legend, Celia Cruz, rapper MC Lyte and country rock pioneer, Gram Parsons.
By blending West African musical traditions with American funk and jazz, Fela helped shape a genre whose impact continues to resonate worldwide, decades after his death in 1997.
Only in February, Fela was honoured posthumously with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony in Los Angeles. Now, he has emerged the first Nigerian artiste to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
On her part, Sade Adu was inducted into the ‘Performer Category’. Reputed for her smooth contralto voice and timeless hits such as Smooth Operator and The Sweetest Taboo, the 67-year-old Grammy-winning singer remains one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary soul and pop.