Sade Adu Nominated for 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Sade Adu, Grammy-winning Nigerian-British singer, earns second Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination in 2026 among 17 nominees

Helen Folasade Adu, the Nigerian-born British singer widely known as Sade Adu, has been named to the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations list, marking her second nomination, in New York on 26 February 2026.

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The 67-year-old Grammy winner is recognised for her signature contralto voice and timeless hits, including *Smooth Operator and The Sweetest Taboo.

Sade Adu is one of 17 artists up for induction this year.

The 2026 ballot features 10 first-time nominees, including Jeff Buckley, Lauryn Hill, Shakira, and INXS, alongside returning nominees such as Mariah Carey, Billy Idol, Oasis, and Joy Division/New Order.

To qualify for induction, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years ago.

The 2026 inductees will be chosen by a vote of over 1,200 music industry professionals, historians, and artists, with the winners scheduled to be announced in April.

The formal induction ceremony will follow later in the year.

Sade Adu was first nominated in 2024 and remains celebrated as one of the most successful British female artists in history.

She made history in 1986 as the first Nigerian-born artist to win a Grammy Award, solidifying her global influence in music.

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Fans and industry observers alike have hailed her 2026 nomination as a testament to her enduring legacy, artistic innovation, and continued relevance in contemporary music culture.