Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and American rapper Queen Latifah, are among five music legends set to receive the Early Influence Award at the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles, United States.
The awards will be presented on Saturday as part of a ceremony celebrating this year’s inductees, which include British rock band Oasis, Nigerian-born singer Sade Adu, Wu-Tang Clan and American musician Billy Idol.
Other artistes named in the 2026 performer category are Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order and the late American singer Luther Vandross.
The Cleveland-based Rock and Roll Hall of Fame selected the artistes following a process involving more than 1,000 musicians, historians and music industry professionals.
The ceremony will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Beyond the performer category, Fela, Queen Latifah, Cuban-American singer Celia Cruz, rapper MC Lyte and American singer-songwriter Gram Parsons will receive the Early Influence Award in recognition of their contributions to music.
However, some of the inductees, including Sade, Oasis and Iron Maiden, have confirmed that they will not attend the ceremony.
Sade, whose band is fronted by Nigerian-born singer Sade Adu, announced its absence in a statement on its website, expressing gratitude for the recognition.
“Sorry we can’t be there in person to celebrate with the other artists. Please know that our absence takes nothing away from how much this recognition means to us,” the group said.
Oasis, comprising brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, also declined to attend despite recently announcing plans for a 2027 world tour.
Noel Gallagher is scheduled to perform solo in London, while Liam had earlier indicated his unwillingness to attend the event.
Responding to a fan on X earlier in the week, Liam said, “It’s too far to be going for the night.”
Iron Maiden also confirmed that they would miss the ceremony because they are currently on tour in Australia.
Meanwhile, the induction will bring together Joy Division and New Order, two British bands connected by their musical history. New Order emerged after the death of Joy Division’s lead singer, Ian Curtis, in 1980.
The group subsequently became a major force in alternative dance music, producing popular songs including Blue Monday, True Faith and Bizarre Love Triangle.
Collins, known for songs such as In the Air Tonight and Sussudio, will also be absent because of health challenges that have made performing impossible.
Wu-Tang Clan, the hip-hop group from Staten Island, New York, is another major inductee.
The group, famous for tracks including C.R.E.A.M. and Protect Ya Neck, recently concluded a tour billed as its final one.
Idol, however, is expected to attend the ceremony after Los Angeles declared Friday, November 13, as Billy Idol Day in recognition of his career ahead of the induction.
Reacting to his selection, the singer described the recognition as “a tremendous honor”.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s eligibility rules require nominees to have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before their nomination.
