2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees: A Diverse Lineup of Iconic Artists
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its list of 2026 nominees for induction, which includes a diverse range of artists spanning various genres such as rap, metal, R&B, hip-hop, Britpop, blues rock, and pop. The list features iconic names like Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Iron Maiden, Luther Vandross, and Shakira, among others.
The 17 performer nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2026 include Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition, Sade, and the Wu-Tang Clan. The nominations also see the return of Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, The Black Crowes, and Oasis, who have had public feuds and recent reunions.
Phil Collins, known for hits like “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night,” has won eight Grammys, while 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, with 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and Sade, known for soft rock hits like “Smooth Operator,” are also among the nominees.
INXS, with chart-topping hits like “Need You Tonight” and “Devil Inside,” and Iron Maiden, a pioneer of British heavy metal, are part of the list. New Edition, Shakira, and Pink, with multiple No. 1 songs and albums, are also nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Ten of the 17 nominees are first-time contenders, including Jeff Buckley, Luther Vandross, and the Wu-Tang Clan. The inductees for 2026 will be announced in April, along with those entering under special committee categories like Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award.
The artists eligible for induction must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before. The final selection of inductees will be determined by a voting process involving over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame continues to celebrate the evolving faces and sounds of rock and its impact on youth culture.