The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled 17 nominees for its Class of 2026, assembling one of the most stylistically diverse ballots in its history.
This year’s contenders span pop, hip-hop, R&B, heavy metal, alternative rock, and global music. The nominees are: The Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, Billy Idol, INXS, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, New Edition, Oasis, Pink, Sade, Shakira, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan.
Ten of the 17 artists are appearing on the ballot for the first time. Among the first-time nominees are Jeff Buckley, Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
The list underscores the Hall’s increasingly expansive definition of rock and roll, embracing artists whose influence stretches beyond traditional guitar-driven sounds. Latin pop superstar Shakira and R&B icon Mariah Carey sit alongside heavy metal pioneers Iron Maiden and post-punk innovators Joy Division/New Order. Hip-hop is represented by Wu-Tang Clan and Lauryn Hill, whose solo work and role in the Fugees helped reshape 1990s music.
Veteran acts such as Oasis, Billy Idol and The Black Crowes return to the conversation about rock’s legacy, while Phil Collins’ nomination recognizes both his solo career and decades of pop dominance following his tenure with Genesis.
Inductees are chosen through a combination of votes from an international panel of artists, historians, and music industry professionals, along with a fan vote that has become an annual tradition.
Artists become eligible for nomination 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. The Class of 2026 will be announced later this year, with an induction ceremony expected in the fall.
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was created to honor artists who have significantly influenced the evolution, development, and perpetuation of rock and roll. Over the decades, it has expanded to include a wide array of genres that have shaped popular music. The museum opened to the public in 1995 and has since inducted hundreds of performers, songwriters, and producers, cementing its role as one of music’s most prominent institutions,s celebrating cultural impact and artistic innovation.
Source: Variety, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame