Nigerian‑born British singer Folasade Adu, popularly known as Sade Adu, has been nominated for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, United States.
This marks her second nomination for the award.
Sade rose to global fame in the 1980s with her band Sade, blending soul, jazz, R&B, and pop. Over her career, she has sold millions of records and won multiple Grammy Awards.
This year’s nominees include 17 performers across genres. First-time nominees include Jeff Buckley, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, Pink, Shakira, Luther Vandross, INXS, New Edition, and the Wu‑Tang Clan. Returning artists on the ballot alongside Sade include Mariah Carey, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Oasis, The Black Crowes, and Joy Division/New Order.
Artistes become eligible for nomination 25 years after their first commercial release. A panel of over 1,200 artists, historians, and music professionals will vote on the final inductees. Winners will be announced in April 2026, with the induction ceremony later in the year.
Sade’s band first appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2024 but did not make the final class. The repeat nomination highlights her long-standing influence on multiple generations of musicians and fans.
Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, and raised in England, Sade is known for hits like ‘Smooth Operator’ and ‘The Sweetest Taboo’, celebrated for their emotional depth and enduring appeal.
