Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2026 Nominees

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has revealed its nominees for the Class of 2026, a diverse group of 17 artists spanning multiple genres. The list includes first-time nominees alongside returning contenders, reflecting the Hall’s ongoing effort to broaden its representation of musical influence and innovation.

First-Time Nominees

Several artists are appearing on the ballot for the first time, including Luther Vandross, Jeff Buckley, Melissa Etheridge, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, and the Wu-Tang Clan . This influx of new nominees highlights the Hall’s commitment to recognizing a wider range of musical styles and contributions.

Returning Nominees

The 2026 nominees also include artists previously considered for induction: Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Oasis, Sade, and a combined entry for Joy Division and New Order . Carey and Oasis are nominated for the third consecutive year, even as Black Crowes and Billy Idol return for a second time. Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, and Sade have also been nominated in previous years .

Genre Diversity

The nominees represent a broad spectrum of genres, including rock, pop, Latin music, R&B, hip-hop, post-punk, and heavy metal . This diversity reflects a recent broadening of the Hall’s selection process to include more artists from various backgrounds and musical styles.

Notable Nominees

• Phil Collins: Known for hits like “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night,” Collins has earned eight Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year in 1985 .
• Mariah Carey: With 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, Carey is a highly successful and influential pop artist .
• Lauryn Hill: Hill’s album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was the first hip-hop album to win the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1999 .
• Sade: The soul-jazz vocalist is known for hits such as “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo” .
• Wu-Tang Clan: Hailed as rap innovators since their debut album in 1993 .

Voting and Induction

An international panel of over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals will vote on the nominees. The selected inductees will be announced in April, along with those entering the Hall in the categories of musical influence, musical excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Award .