Shakira, Lauryn Hill, Pink, Jeff Buckley, Phil Collins, New Edition and Wu-Tang Clan headline a 17-artist slate that blurs genre lines and fuels fresh debate over the Hall’s evolving identity
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its 17 nominees for the Class of 2026 — and the list may be one of the most stylistically diverse in the institution’s history.
From Latin pop globalist Shakira and hip-hop pioneers Wu-Tang Clan to alt-rock cult hero Jeff Buckley and R&B royalty Luther Vandross, the ballot reflects an increasingly expansive definition of what constitutes “rock and roll” in the 21st century.
Among this year’s nominees are: The Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, Billy Idol, INXS, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, New Edition, Oasis, Pink, Sade, Shakira, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan.
Ten artists appear on the ballot for the first time, including Buckley, Collins, Etheridge, Hill, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan. Seven acts return after previous nominations, including Carey, Iron Maiden and Oasis — all now vying for induction after multiple attempts since 2021.
