Several music legends, including Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Iron Maiden, Luther Vandross, and Shakira, have been nominated for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. The diverse list encompasses genres such as rap, metal, R&B, hip-hop, Britpop, blues rock, and pop.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame unveiled a roster of 17 performer nominees on Wednesday, featuring artists like Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition, Sade, and the Wu-Tang Clan.
Billy Idol and Joy Division/New Order make a return to the nominations after missing out on induction last year. The current list also includes two pairs of musical siblings, The Black Crowes and Oasis, who have experienced public disputes and recent reconciliations.
Phil Collins, known for hits like “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night,” boasts eight Grammy awards, including the coveted album of the year award in 1985 for “No Jacket Required.” Lauryn Hill made history with her album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” becoming the first hip-hop album to win the Grammy for album of the year in 1999.
Mariah Carey, a nominee in 2024 and 2025, has secured 19 chart-topping hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Sade, a soul-jazz vocalist also nominated in 2024, is recognized for hits like “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo.”
The Wu-Tang Clan emerged as rap trailblazers with their groundbreaking 1993 debut album “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).” INXS dominated the late 1980s music scene with chart-toppers such as “Need You Tonight,” “Devil Inside,” and “New Sensation.” Melissa Etheridge, a two-time Grammy winner, is celebrated for songs like “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One.” Iron Maiden played a pivotal role in the new wave of British heavy metal with iconic albums like “The Number of the Beast.”
New Edition delivered hits like “Cool It Now” and “Candy Girl,” while Shakira is applauded for blending Latin music with rock and pop. Pink has achieved four No. 1 songs and three chart-topping albums, including “The Truth About Love.”
Debut Nominees
Ten out of the 17 nominees are first-time contenders on the ballot: Jeff Buckley, Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, Luther Vandross, and the Wu-Tang Clan.
Luther Vandross, who sold over 25 million albums and produced hits like “Here and Now” and “Any Love,” passed away in 2005. Jeff Buckley, acclaimed for his 1994 debut album “Grace,” tragically died in 1997.
John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, remarked, “This diverse list of talented nominees recognizes the ever-evolving faces and sounds of Rock & Roll and its continued impact on youth culture.”
The 2026 inductees will be announced in April, alongside inductees selected under three special committee categories: musical influence, musical excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun non
