Rock Hall honours Fela Kuti and Sade at 2026 induction ceremony in Los Angeles tonight
Photo: Fela Anikulapo Kuti performing · Photo: PUNCH (FILE PHOTO)
Tonight, Fela Kuti becomes the first African-born artist in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Sade joins him — but won't be there.
Key points
- The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame holds its 2026 induction ceremony tonight at the Peacock Theater, Los Angeles. Fela receives the Early Influence Award.
- Fela is the first African-born artist to enter the Hall — not 'first African'. His selection was announced in April 2026.
- Sade is inducted in the performer class but confirmed on 11 November it will not attend in person. The edited ceremony airs on ABC and Disney+ on 9 Dec.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame holds its 2026 induction ceremony on Saturday, 14 November 2026, at the Peacock Theater, Los Angeles. Fela Anikulapo Kuti receives the Early Influence Award, making him the first African-born artist to enter the Hall — his selection was announced in April 2026.
Sade — the British band fronted by Nigerian-born Sade Adu — is inducted in the performer class, but confirmed on 11 November via its website that it will not attend in person.
Other inductees include Oasis, Billy Idol, Wu-Tang Clan, Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order and the late Luther Vandross; Queen Latifah, Celia Cruz and MC Lyte also receive Early Influence honours. The edited ceremony airs on ABC and Disney+ on 9 December.
It is a historic first for African music on the world's biggest music stage — Fela's Afrobeat legacy formally canonised, 29 years after his death — and Sade's absence adds a talking point. Fela is the first AFRICAN-BORN artist in the Hall: do not shorten that to “first African”, which overstates it.
Why this matters
Historic first for African music on the world's biggest music stage — Fela's Afrobeat legacy formally canonised, 29 years after his death, and Sade's absence adds a talking point.
Latest developments
First published 14 Nov 2026, 19:27 WAT.
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Sources
- Vanguard — Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honours Fela Kuti (14 Nov 2026)
- PUNCH — Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, others to receive Rock Hall Early Influence honour (14 Nov 2026)
- News Central — Rock Hall to honour Fela, Sade at 2026 ceremony (14 Nov 2026)
Fela is the first AFRICAN-BORN artist in the Hall — not 'first African'. Sade is NOT attending in person. The ceremony is tonight; the edited broadcast airs on ABC and Disney+ on 9 Dec.