Nearly 30 years after his passing, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (1938-1997) makes history as the first African artist inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, class of 2026. Honored in the "Musical Influence" category, Fela is recognized for pioneering Afrobeat, a revolutionary fusion of jazz, West African highlife, soul, and funk that became the soundtrack of political resistance across Africa and the world. Influenced by Miles Davis, James Brown, and Parliament-Funkadelic, he in turn shaped generations of artists from Burna Boy to Ginger Baker. The induction ceremony takes place November 14 at the Peacock Theatre, Los Angeles. Earlier in 2026, Fela also became the first African recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.