The legendary Nigerian musician made the nominated list more than two decades after his passing.
Fela has been nominated along with 15 other artists, including rappers Jay-Z and LL Cool J. R&B stars Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan and Dionne Warwick.
Rock stars Rage Against the Machine and Foo Fighters were also shortlisted, as well as veteran singers Kate Bush, Carole King and Tina Turner in a list that includes gender.
“We will be announcing our new Delegates in May,” Harris said. “They will be honored this fall during the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony here in Cleveland, Ohio,” he added.
Artists are eligible for 25 years after bringing their first musical work to premiere.
Fela has been an outspoken critic of various military regimes in Nigeria and has often been arrested for his problems.
Through his music and human rights activism, Fela campaigned for military rule and corruption in Nigeria.
In 1977, for example, he released the album “Zombie” which ridiculed the military government. In response, the military burned his home, beat him and threw his mother out of a window. She died of her injuries shortly thereafter.
Fela herself died in 1997 of AIDS complications.