Celebrity News
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Sade Adu Inducted Into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced the induction of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Sade Adu, placing two artists with very different approaches to music in the same class.
For Fela, the recognition follows years of nominations and support from critics and musicians who view Afrobeat as one of the most influential genres to emerge from Africa. His recordings from the 1970s and 1980s, particularly albums like Zombie and Expensive Shit, have been frequently referenced by international music publications. Outlets such as Rolling Stone and Pitchfork have consistently ranked his work among the most important global contributions to modern music, noting his direct political messaging and complex arrangements, which departed from standard pop song structures.
Sade Adu – Instagram
Sade Adu’s induction points to a different type of influence. Emerging in the 1980s with her band Sade, she has maintained consistent commercial performance over decades without frequent releases or heavy promotion. Albums such as Diamond Life and Love Deluxe continue to attract new listeners through streaming and media use. Coverage from outlets like Billboard often highlights her consistency, noting a sound that avoids shifting trends.
The Hall of Fame has historically faced criticism for its narrow definition of “rock”, with past inductions gradually expanding to include hip-hop, R&B and global music traditions. Fela’s inclusion marks a more direct recognition of African genres. Many critics argue that Afrobeat’s fusion of jazz, highlife and funk influenced artists far beyond Nigeria, shaping rhythms and production in American and British music scenes.
Sade Adu – Instagram
Sade’s case is less about genre expansion and more about longevity. Her work does not fit easily into rock classifications, yet its impact on contemporary R&B and pop is widely recorded. Artists over time have cited her as an example of restrained vocals and minimal production. Unlike many Hall of Fame inductees, her public presence has remained deliberately limited, without affecting her commercial performance.
Industry reaction has focused on the timing of the decision. Both artists have been eligible for years, and their eventual induction raises questions about how the Hall weighs global influence against commercial success. Neither artist built their career solely around the American market, yet their music has maintained a strong presence within it.
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti – Instagram
For many African audiences, Fela’s induction has added significance. His music was inseparable from his political activism, and his legacy is maintained in Nigeria through institutions like the Felabration, which draws international audiences each year. Sade, though more removed from public life in Nigeria, remains one of the most widely recognised artists of Nigerian heritage.
Placing both names on the same list does not suggest similarity in style or career strategy. Instead, it reflects a shift in how influence is assessed. The Hall of Fame is moving toward recognising artists whose impact falls outside traditional Western genre categories.
Shekhinah has announced that she is now a mother. She shared the news through a series of maternity photographs online.
The Suited hitmaker posted images from a beachside maternity shoot. She wore a beaded white two-piece outfit with a lace veil while looking in the ocean at sunset. The photographs were credited to “Aunty Bebe.”
Shekhinah also shared a message dedicated to her daughter. She described her child as a blessing.
“We are so lucky to have you with us, baby girl. I am leaving these pictures here as a forever reminder of the magic that is pregnancy and a time stamp to when life changed forever for the better. By God’s grace, you are here and more precious@ than we could have asked for… happy three months to our favourite girl,”
Photo: Instagram/@Shekinahd
The announcement came three months after the birth, meaning Shekhinah kept her pregnancy secret. The child’s father’s name was not mentioned.
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Her decision to share the news after the birth follows how private she is. While Shekhinah has a successful career in music, she has kept family matters to herself.
The maternity photographs attracted reactions from Bonang Matheba, Boity Thulo, DJ Zinhle, Natasha Thahane, Ayanda Thabethe and Lungile Thabethe.
Photo: Instagram/@Shekinahd
Her appearance on Idols SA made her popular. She established herself as a singer and songwriter with songs including “Suited,” “Please Mr.” and “Different.”
Her debut album, Rose Gold, became a multi platinum release in South Africa. Her second album, Trouble in Paradise earned Gold certification.
The singer’s motherhood announcement comes as a new chapter in her personal life. By choosing to reveal the news through selected maternity photographs, she has shown the world she can be open when need be.
Zoë Modiga and producer Thembinkosi Banda, popularly known as BandaBanda, are at loggerheads. The disagreement is about the release of a new remix of “Thula”, a song originally released by BandaBanda featuring Modiga in June 2025.
The latest version, “Thula (Culoe De Song Remix)”, was released on September 4, 2026. It is credited to Culoe De Song and BandaBanda, featuring Zoë Modiga, and on streaming platforms.
Photo: Instagram/@BandaBandanow
Modiga said the release came out without her approval.
In a statement issued by her team, Modiga said she had no knowledge of the remix.
““I want to make it clear that I had no prior knowledge of, involvement in, or approval of the release in question,” Modiga said.
“I was neither consulted about nor did I give my approval for the release,”
According to Modiga, the dispute is bigger than the song. She said there are unresolved questions involving the rights, ownership and commercial arrangements.
Photo: Instagram/@BandaBandanow
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She instructed her legal representatives to address the matter. Modiga said she does not want the issue to become a public argument.
BandaBanda has given a different account.
In his response, he said the original “Thula” was released on June 12, 2025, and was later re-recorded live in 2026 as part of his ISIKHATHI project. He said the music was shared with Modiga before the remix came out and that the communications form part of the documented record.
BandaBanda also said there had been attempts over several months to resolve outstanding matters. He claimed that meetings were arranged and follow-ups were made.
Photo: Instagram/@BandaBandanow
The dispute is serious because Modiga and BandaBanda have a long professional history. BandaBanda has been involved in Modiga’s music over the years, including her 2020 album Inganekwane. Their relationship was both a romantic and creative one. BandaBanda has described “Thula” as a song about peace and quietness.
The two sides have placed very different versions of events on record. Modiga maintains that she did not approve the remix and has taken the matter to her legal representatives, while BandaBanda says there was communication and that attempts were made to resolve the wider professional issues.
The remix remains available on streaming services. But there are questions around approval, ownership, rights and commercial arrangements. Everyone is waiting for the courts to decide the case.
Beyoncé is celebrating 20 years of B’Day with an anniversary edition of the album. B’Day will be released on September 4, 2026.
B’Day was Beyoncé’s second solo studio album and followed her 2003 debut, Dangerously in Love. The album featured some of her best tracks. The edition has 27 tracks which has the original album with B-sides, rare recordings, and Spanish-language versions.
Image: @beyonce/Instagram
The full tracklist for the deluxe edition includes:
- Déjà Vu
- Get Me Bodied
- Suga Mama
- Upgrade U
- Ring the Alarm
- Kitty Kat
- Freakum Dress
- Green Light
- Irreplaceable
- Check on It
- Beautiful Liar
- Flaws and All
- Resentment
- Listen
- Morning Dew (Donk)
- My First Time
- Can I Watch You
- Welcome to Hollywood
- Lost Yo Mind
- Creole
- Back Up
- Get Me Bodied (Extended Mix)
- Irreplaceable (Irreemplazable)
- Amor Gitano
- Listen (Oye)
- Beautiful Liar(Bello Embustero)
- Get Me Bodied(Mueve el Cuerpo
The physical release is for collectors. The four-LP deluxe edition comes on 180-gram Bayou Blue vinyl and includes a 60-page booklet and two art prints.
Read Also: Beyoncé Releases ‘Morning Dew (Donk)’ in Surprise Release
Beyoncé will make the anniversary project available in two-LP editions and a CD. These give fans options depending on their needs.
Image: @beyonce/Instagram
The original B’Day remains an important album in Beyoncé’s career. She has worked with Pharrell Williams, Ryan Tedder and The Dream who are top producers.
This anniversary gives fans an opportunity to to enjoy some of Beyoncé’s old songs. It also shows how much material surrounded the making of B’Day.
Twenty years after its original release, B’Day is returning in a much larger package. The anniversary edition combines familiar hits, lesser-known recordings, Spanish-language versions and newer material into one 27-track collection.
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