Legendary Nigerian-born British singer Sade Adu, also known as Helen Folasade Adu, has earned her second nomination for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The 67-year-old Grammy-winning singer, celebrated for her contralto voice and hits like “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo,” is part of a competitive class of 17 nominees spanning multiple genres.
This year’s nominees include:
First-time nominees:
•Jeff Buckley
•Phil Collins
•Melissa Etheridge
•Lauryn Hill
•INXS
•New Edition
•Pink
•Shakira
•Luther Vandross
•Wu-Tang Clan
Returning nominees:
•The Black Crowes
•Mariah Carey
•Billy Idol
•Iron Maiden
•Joy Division/New Order
•Oasis
•Sade Adu
To qualify, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years ago. The 2026 inductees will be selected by over 1,200 music professionals, historians, and artists, with winners announced in April and formally inducted later in the year.
Sade was previously nominated in 2024 and made history in 1986 as the first Nigerian-born artist to win a Grammy Award. She is widely regarded as one of the most successful British female artists of all time, known for her enduring global influence in music.
