The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its nominees for induction in 2026, with a diverse list that spans various genres including rap, metal, R&B, hip-hop, Britpop, blues rock, and pop. Among the 17 performer nominees are renowned artists such as Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Iron Maiden, Luther Vandross, and Shakira.
Included in the list are also Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition, Sade, and the Wu-Tang Clan. Returning to the nominations this year are Billy Idol and Joy Division/New Order, along with musical duos like The Black Crowes and Oasis, known for their public feuds and recent reconciliations.
Phil Collins, known for hits like “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night,” boasts eight Grammy awards, while Lauryn Hill’s album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” made history by winning the Grammy for album of the year in 1999 as the first hip-hop album to do so.
Mariah Carey, a three-time nominee, has achieved 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Sade, also nominated previously, is recognized for soft-rock hits like “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo.” The Wu-Tang Clan, hailed as rap innovators, made a mark with their debut album “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” in 1993.
INXS dominated the late-1980s charts with hits such as “Need You Tonight” and “Devil Inside,” while Melissa Etheridge, a two-time Grammy winner, is best known for songs like “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One.” Iron Maiden, a powerhouse in British heavy metal, released iconic albums like “The Number of the Beast.”
New Edition’s popular songs include “Cool It Now” and “Candy Girl,” and Shakira is praised for blending Latin music with rock and pop. Pink has secured four No. 1 songs and three No. 1 albums, including “The Truth About Love.”
Of the 17 nominees, ten are on the ballot for the first time, including Vandross, Buckley, and Wu-Tang Clan. The inductees for 2026 will be announced in April, alongside those selected under special committee categories like musical influence, musical excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun non-performer award. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording and are voted on by a panel of over 1,200 industry professionals.
In the previous year, artists such as Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Bad Company, and others were inducted into the prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.