The R&B/soul star, who died in 1999, will be remembered with the Curtis Mayfield Award, which will be handed out annually at the hall of fame's gala to a rising singer/songwriter whose work "reflects the inspiration, spirit and soul" of Mayfield's music.

The prize, which will be part of the organisation's scholarship program, will be introduced next year (16) and handed out for the first time in June (16).

Mayfield's widow Altheida says in a statement, "It's time to celebrate and re-evaluate Curtis' legacy. He was a genius who always stood on his own."