Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: Nigerians Push Fela To The Top

Following Fela Anikulapo Kuti's nomination for the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, several Nigerians including celebrities have declared their support for the late Afrobeat legend by soliciting votes to make him part of the five that will be inducted.

Recall that the Nigerian musical icon was announced alongside Mary J. Blige, Kate Bush, Devo, Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s, Iron Maiden, Jay-Z, Chaka Khan, Carole King, LL Cool J, New York Dolls, Rage Against the Machine, Todd Rundgren, Tina Turner and Dionne Warwick.

Kuti, Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, and Iron Maiden are all first-time nominees.

READ ALSO: Why Fela Deserves To Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Taking to their several social media accounts, Nigerian celebrities including Davido, Kate Henshaw, Don Jazzy, Banky W, Mr Macaroni, Burna Boy, Omojuwa, amongst others, called on their fellow Nigerians to take the 'Abami Eda' to the number one spot.

https://t.co/cb2mGWJTuL one time for BABA FELA !!

— Davido (@davido) February 12, 2021

If there is anyone who deserves this, Fela Kuti does!!
Let's take him to the TOP position!!
Energy directed properly people!!! https://t.co/NfQ2LRHBWs

— Kate Henshaw (@HenshawKate) February 12, 2021

@felakuti is now leading, we must keep voting, we could at least make @felakuti secure a place in global history! #RevolutionNow https://t.co/ghufrd8WAz

Vote for Fela Anikulapo Kuti for a well-deserved place in the Rock and Roll Hall of FameFlag of NigeriaFlexed biceps pic.twitter.com/qCAqEP3BVK

— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) February 12, 2021

Come on Nigerians ! We can do this. This is our Baba Fela we are talking about o. https://t.co/Igjp7EKnAk

Vote for Fela Anikulapo Kuti for a well-deserved place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame????

— IT’S DON JAZZY AGAIN (@DONJAZZY) February 12, 2021

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

I humbly call on my amazing followers on here to cast a vote for the Legendary Fela Kuti to be inducted into the Rock N Roll hall of fame. ??❤️https://t.co/jm46iX7wVb#VoteFelaKuti

— DeboMacaroni (@mrmacaronii) February 12, 2021

I humbly call on my amazing followers on here to cast a vote for the Legendary Fela Kuti to be inducted into the Rock N Roll hall of fame. ??❤️https://t.co/jm46iX7wVb#VoteFelaKuti

— DeboMacaroni (@mrmacaronii) February 12, 2021

Their efforts seem to pay off as CNN reports that Fela Kuti is currently leading the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee list. If he gets inducted, he will make history as the first Nigerian artist in the Rock and Roll hall of fame. The inductees will be announced in May following a public vote which closes in April. 

During his lifetime, Fela was a music and human rights activist who continued to criticize several military regimes. The 'Zombie' crooner campaigned against military rule and corruption in Nigeria which usually got him arrested and thrown behind bars.

He died in 1997 from complications from AIDS.