The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its nominees for the class of 2026 on Wednesday, a list spanning multiple genres and generations. Among the 17 artists vying for induction are Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Iron Maiden, Luther Vandross, and Shakira.
This year’s ballot features a diverse range of artists, including ten first-time nominees: Jeff Buckley, Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Hill, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, Vandross, and the Wu-Tang Clan. Returning nominees include Billy Idol and Joy Division/New Order, who were not selected for induction last year. The ballot also includes sibling rivalries resolved, with both The Black Crowes and Oasis receiving nominations after periods of public dispute and recent reconciliation.
Phil Collins, known for hits such as “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night,” has received eight Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year in 1985 for No Jacket Required. Lauryn Hill’s 1998 album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, broke ground as the first hip-hop album to win the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1999. Mariah Carey, previously nominated in 2024 and 2025, boasts 19 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Soul-jazz vocalist Sade, also a 2024 nominee, is celebrated for hits like “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo.”
The Wu-Tang Clan, lauded as innovators in the rap genre, rose to prominence with their 1993 debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang. INXS dominated the late 1980s charts with songs like “Need You Tonight,” “Devil Inside,” and “New Sensation.” Etheridge, a two-time Grammy winner, is best known for songs such as “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One.” Iron Maiden played a key role in the new wave of British heavy metal, releasing iconic albums like The Number of the Beast.
New Edition achieved success with hits like “Cool It Now” and “Candy Girl,” while Shakira has been recognized for blending Latin music with rock and pop influences. Pink has earned four number-one songs and three number-one albums, including The Truth About Love. Luther Vandross, who sold over 25 million albums and had hits such as “Here and Now” and “Any Love,” passed away in 2005. Jeff Buckley’s 1994 debut album, Grace, remains critically acclaimed.
“This diverse list of talented nominees recognizes the ever-evolving faces and sounds of Rock &. Roll and its continued impact on youth culture,” stated John Sykes, chair of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.
The 2026 inductees will be announced in April, alongside those selected through the Hall’s special committee categories: Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award. Artists are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. Voting will be conducted by a body of over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals.
