The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced on Saturday its list of 15 nominees for induction into the prestigious institution this year. Among the nominees are iconic artists such as Mariah Carey, Cher, and Mary J. Blige, who have made significant contributions to the music industry. Other notable names on the list include Ozzy Osbourne, Sade, A Tribe Called Quest, Lenny Kravitz, the late Sinead O'Connor, Dave Matthews Band, Eric B. & Rakim, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Jane's Addiction, Kool & the Gang, and Oasis.
Out of the 15 nominees, 10 are on the ballot for the first time, bringing fresh talent and diverse sounds to the forefront. The returning nominees include Mary J. & Rakim, Jane's Addiction, and A Tribe Called Quest. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.
John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, expressed his excitement about this year's nominees, stating, "This remarkable list of Nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates. Continuing in the true spirit of Rock & Roll, these artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps."
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame had previously teased a “big” announcement, which was revealed on February 10. The announcement featured a 2021 video of Taylor Swift singing Carole King and Gerry Goffin's hit song "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" on TikTok. The organization also took the opportunity to wish Carole King a happy birthday. The nominees will now have their fate decided by an international voting body consisting of over 1,000 artists, historians, and members of the music industry. The voting process takes into consideration various factors, including the artist's musical impact and influence on others.
The inductees for the 2024 class will be announced in late April, with the induction ceremony set to take place in the fall in Cleveland. While the exact date and location have yet to be revealed, the ceremony will be streamed live on Disney+ and aired on ABC at a later date, similar to last year's event. The 2023 inductees included Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, and more.
The nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2024 represent a wide range of musical genres and styles. Mariah Carey, Cher, Lenny Kravitz, the late Sinead O'Connor, and heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne are among the contenders. Sade, known for her smooth soulful hits, and Britpop legends Oasis are also on the list. Notably, Ozzy Osbourne is being nominated as a solo artist, having already been inducted with Black Sabbath. Other nominees include Eric B. & Rakim, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Jane's Addiction, Dave Matthews Band, and Kool & the Gang.
John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, emphasized the artists' impact and influence, stating, "Continuing in the true spirit of rock 'n' roll, these artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps."
Ten of the 15 nominees are first-time ballot contenders, including Mariah Carey, Cher, Sade, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Oasis, Lenny Kravitz, Kool & The Gang, and the late Sinead O'Connor. Sade, in particular, has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame last year. Mariah Carey, with her record-breaking 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, Mary J. Blige with her multi-platinum albums and Grammy Awards, and Cher, who has achieved No. 1 hits in each of the past six decades, would contribute to increasing the representation of women in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The nominees will be voted on by a panel of over 1,000 artists, historians, and music industry professionals. Fans also have the opportunity to vote online or in person at the museum. The top five artists chosen by the public will form a "fans' ballot" that will be combined with the other professional ballots.
The inductees for the 2024 class will be announced in late April, with the induction ceremony scheduled for the fall in Cleveland. The exact date and location are yet to be disclosed, but the ceremony will be live-streamed on Disney+ and later aired on ABC, following the format of last year's event.
