Late Afrobeat legend, Olufela Olusegun Ransome-Kuti popularly known as Fela Anikulapo Kuti is currently topping the list of the music icons nominated for 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Abacityblog.com reported that Fela was nominated alongside 15 other musical icons for the 2021 class of inductees. The inductees, according to reports, will be announced in May after a public vote which closes April 30.
They’ll be honored at the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio.
Chairman, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation John Sykes said, “This remarkable ballot reflects the diversity and depth of the artists and music the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates. These Nominees have left an indelible impact on the sonic landscape of the world and influenced countless artists that have followed them.”
Nominees who reached the eligibility zone (which requires nominees have a catalogue dating back at least 25 years) long ago but are just making their first appearances include Dionne Warwick, Iron Maiden and the Go-Go.
Jay-Z and Foo Fighters also made the list for the first time as they both released debut albums in 1995.
Other nominees for the 36th annual class are Mary J. Blige, Kate Bush, Devo, Chaka Khan, Carole King, LL Cool J, Rage Against the Machine, Todd Rundgren and Tina Turner, while the “ultimate inductees” will be revealed in May.
It’s should be recalled that Fela, through his music and human rights activism, campaigned against military rule and corruption in Nigeria, hence majority of Nigerians sees him as a model.
Rallying their votes for Fela, Nigerian celebrities and social media influencers has appealed to their fans to vote for the music Icon and make sure he was inducted.
The social media campaign has pushed Fela, who was at the bottom table to be toping the list.
Below are tweets from Nigerians;
https://t.co/cb2mGWJTuL one time for BABA FELA !!
— Davido (@davido) February 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/iSlimfit/status/1360168435091730435?s=20
Naija Dey vex… we did this in one day…Fela deserves this like mad!…. #AfrobeatToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/OKLRjSMw4C
— Do2dtun Energy gAD (@iamDo2dtun) February 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/iSlimfit/status/1360173317232218114?s=20
Truly Naija no dey carry last! I posted yesterday that @rockhall were about to feel the force of Nigeria’s population. Yesterday Fela was at the bottom of the list and today he’s top of the leaderboard! #HallOfFame pic.twitter.com/RnE71hEzDJ
— Stephanie Busari (@StephanieBusari) February 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/iSlimfit/status/1360127640460476416?s=20
Let’s get the legend FELA KUTI inducted into the Rock n Roll hall of fame! https://t.co/5BMTmt3ivW
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) February 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/mrmacaronii/status/1360163908334592008?s=20
https://twitter.com/DONJAZZY/status/1360161455975374849?s=20
https://twitter.com/OgbeniDipo/status/1360175810695614467?s=20
