2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees: Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, and More
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced the nominees for induction in 2026, including iconic artists like Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, Inxs, Iron Maiden, Luther Vandross, and Shakira. The list of 17 performer nominees also features Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition, Sade, and the Wu-Tang Clan. Billy Idol and Joy Division/New Order are returning to the nominations after missing out last year, and the list includes musical brothers The Black Crowes and Oasis.
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. Mariah Carey, with 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and Sade, known for soft rock hits like "Smooth Operator" and "The Sweetest Taboo," are also among the nominees. The Wu-Tang Clan, Inxs, Melissa Etheridge, Iron Maiden, New Edition, and Shakira are recognized for their contributions to music.
The nominees include ten artists who are on the ballot for the first time, such as Jeff Buckley, Luther Vandross, and the Wu-Tang Clan. Vandross, who sold over 25 million albums and had hits like "Here And Now" and "Any Love," passed away in 2005, while Buckley, acclaimed for his debut album "Grace," died in 1997. The diverse list of nominees reflects the evolving faces and sounds of Rock & Roll and its impact on youth culture, according to John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.
The 2026 inductees will be announced in April, along with inductees in special committee categories like Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame continues to honor the legacy and influence of artists who have made significant contributions to the music industry.