The legendary Nigerian musician was on this year’s list of nominees, more than two decades after his death.
Fela was nominated alongside 15 other artists, including rappers Jay-Z and stars of LL Cool J. R&B Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan and Dionne Warwick.
Rock stars Rage Against the Machine and Foo Fighters, as well as veteran singers Kate Bush, Carole King and Tina Turner were also selected from a genre list.
“We will announce our new appointments in May,” said Harris. “They will be honored at the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony right here in Cleveland, Ohio this fall,” he added.
Artists are eligible for induction 25 years after the debut of their first musical work.
Fela was a staunch critic of various military regimes in Nigeria and was often arrested for his problems.
Through her music and human rights activism, Fela campaigned against the military regime and corruption in Nigeria.
In 1977, for example, he released the album “Zombie”, which ridiculed the military government. In response, the military set his house on fire, beat him and threw his mother out the window. She died shortly after her injuries.
Fela himself died in 1997 of AIDS complications.