The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame released their nominations for this year, which include artists like The Go-Go’s, Jay-Z, Kate Bush, and more!
This year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination list is crazy! We’re super hyped about the list that’s full of chart-topping and record-breaking artists! Here are the nominations for this year:
Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige, who was born in 1971, is a first-time nominee. She began her career in 1991 and has released 13 studio albums, eight of which have achieved multi-platinum worldwide sales. Songs like “Family Affair” and “Be Without You” are still iconic and worth the listen.
Kate Bush
Kate Bush was previously nominated in 2018. In 1978, she topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks with her debut single “Wuthering Heights,” becoming the first female artist to achieve a UK number one with a self-written song. Some of her songs, like “Babooshka,” are still super popular and all over TikTok!
DEVO
DEVO was previously nominated in 2019. The band was formed in 1973, and their lineup consisted of two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales, and Alan Myers. DEVO’s famous for popularizing synth instruments, using odd time signatures, and for the classic song “Whip It.”
Foo Fighters
Formed in 1994, the Foo Fighters are first-time nominees. They were founded by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl. The Foo Fighters have won 12 Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album four times. They produced chart-topping songs like “Everlong” and “Best of You.”
The Go-Go’s
The Go-Go’s, formed in 1978, are also first-time nominees. They’re an all-girl band, made up of Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Margot Olavarria, and Elissa Bello. They had a series of hits in the 1980s, which led to them selling over seven million records worldwide. Two of their songs you’ll definitely know are ”We Got the Beat” and “Vacation.”
Iron Maiden
Another first-time nominee is Iron Maiden. The band was formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. The heavy metal band has released 40 albums, and they’re known for songs like “Flight of Icarus” and “Running Free.”
JAY-Z
Rap legend Jay-Z is also a first-time nominee. Jay-Z has been releasing music since 1988 and is often regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop artists in history. Some of his popular hits include “Empire State of Mind” and “Story of OJ.”
Chaka Khan
Yvette Marie Stevens, otherwise known as Chaka Khan, was previously nominated in 2016 and 2017. With a career that spans five decades, Khan is known for winning 10 Grammys for popular songs like “I Feel For You” and “What Cha’ Do for Me.”
Carole King
Singer-songwriter Carole King has been active since 1958. She was previously nominated in 1989, and was inducted in 1990, but only has a songwriter. Now, she’s been nominated for her performance abilities, which can be heard on songs like “It’s Too Late” and “I Feel the Earth Move.”
Fela Kuti
Fela Kuti is a first-time nominee. The Nigerian artist was born in 1938 and passed away in 1997. He is known for being a pioneer of Afrobeat, an African music genre combining traditional Yoruba and Afro-Cuban music with funk and jazz. You may recognize two of his songs, “It’s Highlife Time” and “Shakara.”
LL Cool J
LL Cool J has been reeling music since 1984, and he’s been previously nominated a whopping 5 times – in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, and 2019! The rapper and actor was born in 1968 and is celebrated for hits like “We’re the Greatest” and “I’m Bad.”
New York Dolls
The influential New York Dolls were also previously nominated in 2001. They formed in 1971, and have inspired many groups like the Sex Pistols, Kiss, and the Smiths. Two of their more popular songs are “Personality Crisis” and “Trash.”
Rage Against the Machine
Formed in 1991, Rage Against the Machine, or RATM, were previously nominated in 2018 and 2019. Their music tends to express revolutionary views on politics, which can be heard in “Bull on Parade” and “People of the Sun.”
Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren, an artist known for his diverse range and style, was previously nominated in 2019 and 2020. He began his career in the 1960s with a psychedelic band. His best-known songs include “Hello It’s Me” and “I Saw the Light,” which were released in 1972, and still get a lot of airtime!
Tina Turner
Nicknamed the ‘Queen of Rock and Roll,’ Tina Turner was previously nominated in 1987. She was born in 1939, and has since released chart-topping albums and acted in films like Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Two of her iconic songs that you may recognize are “Proud Mary” and “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick is another first-time nominee. Born in 1940, she began releasing music in 1955. She’s known for her gospel background and rises to fame from singles like “Anyone Who Had A Heart” and her RIAA-certified million-seller “I’ll Never Love This Way Again.”
While we’re excited to see who is inducted this year, there were a few names missing that surprised us and fans!
Soundgarden
One band people wish got nominated was Soundgarden. The group was formed in 1984, with a lineup of Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, and Hiro Yamamoto. Soundgarden helped pioneer the grunge genre through songs like “Black Hole Sun,” and they managed to remain edgy while still selling millions.
Pat Benetar
Benetar, who has been active since 1972 has been nominated previously, and fans were surprised that she was absent from this year’s nomination list. She’s a four-time Grammy award winner, and two of her iconic and recognizable hits are “Love is a Battlefield” and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”
Duran Duran
People were also surprised that Duran Duran wasn’t nominated. Formed in 1978, the group led the Second British Invasion of the US through the popular channel, MTV. “Hungry Like The Wolf” and “Girls On Film” are still super popular!
While we were sad to see some of these groups weren’t nominated, we’re still excited to find out who will be inducted this May!
