The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 nominees, including Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Iron Maiden, Luther Vandross, and Shakira. This diverse lineup spans various genres such as rap, metal, R&B, hip-hop, Britpop, blues rock, and pop.
Among the 17 performer nominees are 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 feuding and reuniting musical brothers The Black Crowes and Oasis.
Phil Collins, known for hits like “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night,” has earned 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, a third-time nominee, boasts 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, acclaimed rap innovators since their debut album “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” in 1993, have left a significant mark on the music scene. INXS dominated the late-1980s charts with hits such as “Need You Tonight” and “Devil Inside,” while Melissa Etheridge and Iron Maiden have also made their mark with iconic songs and albums.
Ten of the nominees are first-timers on the ballot, including Vandross, Buckley, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, and Wu-Tang Clan. The 2026 inductees will be announced in April, along with those entering under special committee categories. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after their first commercial recording release and are voted on by a panel of industry professionals.
Last year, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame welcomed inductees like Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, and The White Stripes, among others, highlighting the diverse and impactful contributions to the music industry.