Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti also known as Abami Eda, has been nominated for the induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, on Wednesday morning.
The bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist was nominated amongst renowned music artistes like, Dolly Parton, Eminem, Lionel Richie and other music artistes.
The pioneer of Afrobeat, an African music genre that combines traditional Yoruba percussion and vocal styles with American funk and jazz, returned with his band to Nigeria and the group was renamed (the) Africa ’70 as lyrical themes changed from love to social issues.
On the ballot are alternative darlings Beck and Kate Bush, New Wave groups DEVO and Duran Duran. The process to follow for eligibility will require artists or bands to have released their first commercial recording by 1996.
The pattern for voting will demand fans to vote for their favorites online, and those votes will be tallied with other ballots submitted by more than a thousand artists, historians and music industry members around the world.
John Sykes, who heads the foundation that runs the Rock Hall, said in a press release, “This year’s ballot recognizes a diverse group of incredible artists, each who has had a profound impact on the sound of youth culture.”
The induction ceremony is scheduled for later this year, while the nominees will have to wait to find out who made the cut in May.
The names of the winners will be enshrined at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Eminem will be scheduled to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show later this month.
