Fela Kuti, meanwhile, is receiving the Early Influence Award, a distinction reserved for pioneers whose sound and ideas laid the groundwork for entire genres and movements.

In short, Sade is recognised for her body of work as a recording artist, while Fela is honoured for creating a musical blueprint (Afrobeats) that others have built on.

The induction ceremony will take place on November 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, with global broadcasts on ABC and Disney+.

Alongside names like Phil Collins, Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, and Luther Vandross, the inclusion of Sade and Fela signals a shift in perspective.

Sade Adu

Born Helen Folasade Adu in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1959, Sade’s life has always sat between worlds. She moved to the UK as a child, grew up in Essex, and later immersed herself in London’s creative scene. Fashion student, model, backup singer, but none of it quite fit until she formed Sade, the band that would carry her name and define a sound.

What sets her apart is control. Her voice doesn’t reach for drama; it pulls you in quietly. That restraint became her signature.

Her debut album, Diamond Life (1984), introduced a new kind of pop sophistication. Smooth Operator and Your Love Is King weren’t loud statements but were precise, polished, and emotionally contained. Follow-up projects like Promise , Stronger Than Pride and The Sweetest Taboo doubled down on that formula, blending jazz, soul, and minimalism into her own touch.

As a Grammy-winning artist with global sales in the tens of millions, Sade’s influence runs deep.

Her induction in the Performer Category recognises a career built not on volume, but precision, by refining how emotion is delivered in sound.

Fela Kuti

Where Sade is measured, Fela Kuti was uncompromising.

Born in 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, into a politically active family, Fela inherited a strong sense of resistance early on. His mother was a leading anti-colonial activist, and that spirit carried directly into his work.

After studying music in London and later encountering the Black Power movement in the US, Fela returned to Nigeria with a clear direction. The result was Afrobeat, a genre he didn’t just pioneer, but fully engineered.

Afrobeat fused jazz, funk, highlife, and traditional West African rhythms into long, groove-driven compositions layered with horns, percussion, and politically charged lyrics. Songs like Zombie and Sorrow , Tears and Blood weren’t just records, but confrontations with authority.

He built the Kalakuta Republic , a commune that doubled as a creative and political base. The Nigerian government responded with force. Raids, arrests, violence, yet Fela absorbed it all and kept recording.

His music wasn’t escapism. It was resistance.

Receiving the Early Influence Award, Fela’s impact is now formally acknowledged at a global level. His legacy runs through modern African stars like Wizkid and Burna Boy.

1. Shakira

Shakira is one of the most recognisable singers in the world, and she’s also spent years investing in education and children’s rights. She founded the Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation), which builds and supports schools for underprivileged children in Colombia, providing meals, parent training, and wider community help. She also co-founded ALAS, a regional initiative focused on improving early childhood policies across Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, she serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador , working on global education and social justice efforts.

2. Marc Anthony

Marc Anthony has combined global musical success with sustained humanitarian work, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. He co-founded the Maestro Cares Foundation in 2012, which supports disadvantaged children and communities across Latin America and the United States. The foundation funds and builds orphanages, schools and community homes in countries including the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Bolivia. Its focus is on creating safe housing, access to education and long-term stability for vulnerable children. Anthony has also been active in disaster relief, particularly following hurricanes in Puerto Rico and other parts of the Caribbean. He has organised and participated in benefit concerts and fundraising efforts to support rebuilding and humanitarian aid.

Africa

Davido's custody battle

The legal team of Sophia Momodu, the estranged lover of Nigeria's top musician, Davido, has publicly warned the singer and his fans against intimidating or harassing the lawyer handling her child's custody case. The firm, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, criticised inciting posts on social media directed at their partner, Ebelechukwu Enedah, saying the matter is before the court and should be decided there, not online. They said threats or intimidation of legal practitioners undermine justice and should not be tolerated. The warning comes after Davido’s social-media posts expressing frustration with the lawyer’s conduct during a recent hearing, including comments he described as insensitive regarding his late son, which drew strong reactions from his followers. He later clarified that he was seeking joint custody of their daughter, Imade, and not full custody. He wrote in a social media post, "Like I said in the courtroom, I pray you never go through what me and my wife have gone through ever, and you were still smiling, smirking. You are a wicked human being. You are the worst lawyer ever. I beat you in court. You are not learned.”

Rogelio "Roger" Nores, who spent significant time with Payne in the final months of his life, described his October fall from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony as a case of bad luck. 

Although Nores and two hotel employees were cleared by a court, two other individuals remain detained on charges of supplying cocaine to the singer during his stay. 

But what does it take to become a successful actor? Being successful in any field requires constant dedication and the film industry can be quite challenging, especially when you factor in having to perform at your job in the public eye.

Filipino star Miles Ocampo, who has been at it for the past twenty years knows a thing or two about making it as a successful actor.

In an exclusive interview with Global South World, Miles shared her insights on this performance-driven industry. “it’s fun, but at the same time scary,” said Miles who started her career when she was six years old.

Watch the full interview here:

The 27-year-old Filipino star, who won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival advised young aspiring actors who want to become successful to give their “101%”.

“You'll never know what's next for you. You'll never know if after this you're able to have another chance. You have to give your all, give your 100 and 1% as if this is your last time all the time,” she explained.

Miles, who’s also co-host of the longest-running noontime variety show also disclosed that being in the limelight comes with added pressure, especially when people feel like “they own your life and have the privilege to comment on your personal life,” she disclosed.

“My only goal when I was a kid was to go inside the box… the television, I thought it was just a box. I wanted to go inside,” Miles recalled in an exclusive interview with Global South World.

Unlike many child stars, who were pushed into the spotlight by their parents, it was Miles herself who pursued the acting world. “Some of the artists that I've worked with when I was a kid, it was their parents who wanted them to be in the industry. In my case, I am the one who asked my parents to bring me to the auditions,” she shared.

Over the years, Miles evolved from a child star into one of the most influential actors in the Philippines, appearing in movies, and TV shows, and even gracing the covers of magazines. In 2024, she ranked #9 in Global South World's list of the 60 most powerful actors on Instagram in the country. But with fame comes responsibility, something Miles has always taken seriously.

“Being a personality is such a big responsibility for me, especially with the influence,” she explained, acknowledging the weight that comes with being in the public eye.

In March 2023, Miles faced one of the toughest battles of her life: a diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, the most common type of thyroid cancer. This diagnosis came after she experienced difficulty breathing and discomfort in her throat, which at first didn’t seem serious.

“I felt dizzy all the time… like someone's grabbing my throat,” she recounted. “I was not aware that it was so serious. I was not aware that it was cancer.” Miles underwent surgery to remove her thyroid glands, a procedure that saved her life but also introduced new challenges.

Following her surgery, Miles faced another battle—depression. The removal of her thyroid glands led to fluctuations in her weight, a sensitive issue for someone working in an industry that emphasises physical appearance.

“I went through depression at the time because my thyroid case affected my weight. In our industry, you have to look presentable all the time. You have to look sexy. You have to look fit to fit into this industry,” she said.

Online comments criticising her weight gain only made things harder. “I've been reading comments that I look like a mom already… was I able to eat and eat,” she revealed. However, with the support of her loved ones, Miles found a way to cope. “With the help of the people around me, especially my partner, I just woke up and I don’t want to care anymore… why do I pressure myself so much with something I really can't control?”

Despite the challenges, 2023 ended on a high note for Miles. She starred in the movie “Family of Two”, a role that earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival.

She also returned to television as a co-host of “Eat Bulaga!”, the Philippines’ longest-running noontime variety show, airing for 45 years.

“I was supposed to be a guest host for a week only. And it’s my second year now,” she said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine hosting a noontime show. It was life-changing for me.”

Miles expressed that her recent project, "Padyak Princess”, was the most memorable because of the responsibility she felt as the titular character. The show revolves around Miles’ character “Princess” who is determined to make the lives of those around her better.

“It's the first time that I was able to have a project that the title of the show was named after my role so it was a big responsibility,” she said.

At 27, with a career that has already spanned two decades, Miles Ocampo is in it for the long haul—exploring different roles as an actress. “I love this industry and I want to work in this industry because I live for the longevity,” she explained.

A career behind the scenes as a scriptwriter could be on the cards when she is not gracing the screens. “One thing that I'm sure of is I really want to write my own screenplay someday,” she disclosed her interest in life behind the scenes.

But for now, her focus remains on acting, using her platform to make a positive impact and trusting in herself.  As Miles put it, “I will just love myself and accept myself because no one will.”

Watch the full interview here :

Despite the numerous allegations against Diddy, his defence team stands by its previous comments that the rapper is bouncing back stronger.

"He's doing fine (Sean "Diddy" Combs). You know, Dr King called it the law of unintended consequences. So sometimes the more you push a person down, the stronger they get and so he's making an adjustment. He had his family here today to support him. We really want to put an end to all of the clowning that we see on the Internet. This is a serious proceeding with serious consequences, and all of us are addressing it accordingly," Diddy's lawyer Anthony Ricco told the press on Thursday.

The charges against Combs stem from an extensive investigation into allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering. Federal prosecutors have accused the music mogul of orchestrating a network that exploited individuals for commercial sex acts.

R&B singer Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2023, accusing him of repeated physical abuse, sexual exploitation, and rape throughout their decade-long professional and personal relationship.

In November 2023, the two reached an undisclosed settlement, while Combs firmly denied the accusations.

Cassie's lawsuit opened a plethora of legal actions against the 54-year-old rapper by more than 100 people including singer Dawn Richard.

Here's a rundown of the most-followed personalities who dominate the social media platform.

Tina Turner, an American music legend, known for her powerful voice, energetic performances and hit songs such as "What's Love Got to Do with It" and "Proud Mary", died at age 83 on May 24.

Kiernan Forbes was a South African rapper, popularly known as AKA, who died at age 35 on February 10. He was shot dead by unknown assailants outside a nightclub in Durban.

Matthew Perry, the actor who played the sarcastic and witty Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom Friends, died at age 54 on October 28. He had been battling addiction, depression and chronic pain for years.

Windham Rotunda was a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar, popularly known as Bray Wyatt, who died at age 36 on August 24.

Christian Atsu, the Ghanaian footballer died at age 31 in February in a massive earthquake in Turkey. He helped Ghana reach the final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was named player of the tournament. 

Lee Sun-Kyun was a South Korean actor, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, died at age 48 on December 27.

Bulelwa Mkutukana, the South African Afro-pop sensation, better known by her stage name Zahara, died at age 36 on December 11.

Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian prime minister and billionaire media mogul died at age 86 on June 12. He was also the owner of the Italian football club AC Milan.

Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba was a Nigerian musician, popularly known as MohBad, who died at age 27 on September 12.

Rosalynn Carter, the former US first lady died at age 96 on November 19. She was the wife of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981.

Henry Kissinger died at age 100 on November 29. Kissinger was one of the most prominent and controversial figures in US foreign policy, who served as national security adviser and secretary of state under presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford from 1969 to 1977.

Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Zulu prince and veteran South African politician died at age 95 on September 9. Buthelezi was the founder and leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), a predominantly Zulu nationalist party that opposed apartheid in South Africa.

Lisa Marie Presley was an American singer-songwriter and the only child of rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla Presley. She died at age 54 on January 12. She was also the former wife of Michael Jackson.