Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and Nigerian-British singer Sade Adu have been inducted into the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Kuti received the Early Influence Award posthumously. Sade was inducted in the Performer category as a band, with Adu as its lead singer. The group’s music blends soul, jazz and R&B. The official Hall of Fame profile describes Kuti’s influence on Afrobeat and his use of music to address political issues.

Kuti’s children Seun, Yeni, Femi, Shalewa and Made attended Saturday’s ceremony at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles to represent their father. His induction makes him the first African-born artiste inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The honour came months after Kuti received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in February. He was the first African artiste to receive the award, which recognises a performer’s lasting contribution to music. Kuti’s Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award was presented in Los Angeles.

The 2026 class also includes Wu-Tang Clan, Billy Idol, Phil Collins, Joy Division/New Order and the late Luther Vandross. The full list of inductees spans the Performer, Early Influence, Musical Excellence and Ahmet Ertegun categories.

Adu did not attend Saturday’s ceremony. Her band was among several inductees absent from the event, including British rock bands Oasis and Iron Maiden. Sade secured induction after receiving a second Rock Hall nomination.

The ceremony also recognised women in hip-hop. Queen Latifah and MC Lyte received Early Influence Awards. Megan Thee Stallion and Remy Ma joined them during performances celebrating their work.

Wu-Tang Clan performed songs including C.R.E.A.M. and Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit. Member Method Man reflected on the group’s path to the honour, saying, “We went from being banned on the radio to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

Billy Idol performed Rebel Yell after Gwen Stefani inducted him. Stefani later joined him for Eyes Without a Face. Phil Collins attended with his children. The induction was his second entry into the Hall of Fame, following his earlier recognition as a member of Genesis.

Oprah Winfrey inducted the late Luther Vandross, while Usher performed some of the singer’s songs, including Never Too Much. Other honourees included Cuban singer Celia Cruz, American singer Gram Parsons, producer Rick Rubin and television host Ed Sullivan. Sullivan received the Ahmet Ertegun Award for his contribution to the music industry.

The ceremony was taped at the Peacock Theatre and is scheduled to air on ABC and Disney+ in December.