The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 nominee list, featuring renowned artists such as Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Iron Maiden, Luther Vandross, and Shakira. The diverse list includes nominees from various genres like rap, metal, R&B, hip-hop, Britpop, blues rock, and pop.
Among the 17 performer nominees revealed are Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition, Sade, and the Wu-Tang Clan. Billy Idol and Joy Division/New Order return as nominees this year, alongside musical brothers The Black Crowes and Oasis, known for their public feuds and recent reunions.
Phil Collins, known for hits like “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night,” has earned eight Grammys, including the 1985 album of the year for “No Jacket Required.” Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” made history as the first hip-hop album to win the Grammy for album of the year in 1999.
Mariah Carey, a third-time nominee, has had 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Sade, also a nominee in 2024, is recognized for soft-rock hits like “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo.” The Wu-Tang Clan, celebrated as rap innovators, made waves with their 1993 debut album, “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).”
INXS dominated the late 1980s charts with hits such as “Need You Tonight,” “Devil Inside,” and “New Sensation.” 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, is renowned for iconic albums like “The Number of the Beast.”
New Edition delivered hits like “Cool It Now” and “Candy Girl,” while Shakira is praised for blending Latin music with rock and pop. Pink has achieved four No. 1 songs and three No. 1 albums, including “The Truth About Love.”
This year, ten of the 17 nominees are first-time ballot entrants, including Vandross, Buckley, Collins, Etheridge, and Hill. Vandross, who sold over 25 million albums, passed away in 2005, while Buckley, acclaimed for his 1994 debut album “Grace,” died in 1997.
John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, emphasized the evolving faces and sounds of Rock & Roll, highlighting its continued impact on youth culture. The 2026 inductees will be announced in April, alongside those entering under special committee categories like musical influence, musical excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun non-performer award.
Eligible artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to induction. Nominees will be voted on by a panel of over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals. Last year’s inductees included Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Soundgarden, and others.