Sade Adu.
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The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees list, includes Sade Adu, the Nigerian-born British singer whose real name is Helen Folasade Adu, marking her second nomination.
The 67-year-old Grammy winner, known for her timeless contralto voice and hits like “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo”, is among a diverse class of 17 artistes vying for induction this year.
The list, made public on Wednesday by the Hall, spans multiple genres with 10 of the 17 nominees on the ballot for the first time.
The list:
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
To be eligible, artistes 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 artistes, historians, and music industry professionals, with the winners set to be announced in April. The induction ceremony will take place later in the year.
Sade was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. In 1986, she won a Grammy Award.
She is often regarded as one of the most successful British female artistes in history.
