The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the nominees for their 2024 earlier this month. As always, they have stirred up debate among music nerds across the internet. The 15 nominees cover a variety of genres and eras and there is something for everyone to get behind. There are ten artists who have never been nominated before, the most since 2014. Voters can also now select up to seven nominees instead of five.
In this column, I’ll overview the nominees and what I think their chances are for induction this year. I’ll also predict who I think will be voted in.
When I talk about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and nominees in particular, I do not put much thought into who is and is not “rock and roll”. Since it’s foundation, the Hall has always inducted artists in genres like R&B, country, hip hop, jazz and other styles that are not guitar based rock. The Hall’s definition of rock and roll is more of an era than a strict style definition: It specifically hones in on popular music from the mid 1950s onwards. “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” is also a better and more marketable name, when it comes down to those things.
It’s hard to delineate any boundary for any genre, especially when such things are subjective. If you have a narrow definition of what kinds of artists the Hall should be inducting that is limited to just guitar based rock music, you’re probably not going to like my analysis very much. This column by music chart expert Chris Molanphy for NPR covers some of the arguments that have become somewhat tedious when it comes to discussing the Rock Hall, and you should keep it in mind as you read my analysis.
These blurbs only cover my thoughts on these artists chance for induction. Whether or not I think they’re getting in this year does mean that I believe they do or do not deserve to be in. All 15 artists on the ballot this year have a good argument for induction, and many of them should have been in already. At the end of this article, I’ll go over the artists I think will get in, and the artists I’d vote for if I had a ballot. There is something for everyone in this ballot.
Mary J. Blige
Eligible since: 2018
Previous nominations: 1 (2021)
Studio albums: 14
Chart stats: 20 Top 40 hits, including 1 number one
Most played song on Spotify: “Family Affair” (2001, 452 million plays)
Best-selling album: What’s the 411? (1993), Share My World (1997), No More Drama (2001), and The Breakthrough (2005) (all 3x Platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #410
Chance for induction: Medium.
Blige has the longevity, influence and the acclaim to make her an outside chance for induction eventually. You can hear her influence all over the last 20 years of R&B, and she’s never gone away, with her most recent album Good Morning Gorgeous netting her an Album of the Year Grammy nod in 2023.
When she first appeared on the ballot in 2021, Blige had a ton of competiton, and 2023 is no different. It’s great that the Rock Hall has brought Blige back to the ballot. The Hall has not inducted many R&B artists who started their career after 1980, let alone 1990. Blige represents an era and sound that has almost been totally neglected.
I think Blige will appeal to voters who may think Mariah Carey is too “pop” for the Rock Hall, even if Carey fits the Hall’s definition of “rock”. But like a few other artists on the ballot, she might be some voters’ eighth pick. Chances are we’ll see the queen of hip hop soul on the ballot again if she doesn’t make it this year.
Mariah Carey
Eligible since: 2016
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 15
Chart stats: 34 top 40 hits, including 19 number ones
Most played song on Spotify: “All I Want for Christmas is You” (1994, 1.8 billion plays)
Best-selling album: Daydream (11x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #818
Chance for induction: Lock.
She’s Mariah Carey! One of the best selling artists in music history! The only people who aren’t voting for her are those with the strictest possible definition of rock and roll (which, granted, a lot of people still hold onto and complain when any act that isn’t a rock band gets in this place). And I think that contingent won’t keep Mariah out.
What might keep her out is what I like to call the Radiohead effect. When they were on the ballot for the first time in 2018 in their first year of eligibility, Radiohead did not get in. I presume a lot of voters decided not to put them on their ballot because they thought they were such a sure thing and did not need their help like someone else did. Radiohead got in the next year, and all was fine. But that’s really the only way that might keep Mariah Carey out in 2024.
If Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson can get in, surely a beloved and acclaimed superstar whose music steeped in the soul and R&B and hip hop and 70s pop that the Hall has already enshrined will have no problem getting inducted on her first go-around.
Cher
Eligible since: 1991
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 27
Chart stats: 22 top 40 hits, include 4 number ones
Most played song on Spotify: “Believe” (1998, 573 million plays)
Best-selling album: Believe (1998, 4x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #1081
Chance for induction: High.
Cher has been long overdue for a Rock Hall appearance. She was a backing vocalist associated with the Wrecking Crew and appeared on classics like The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” before she had hits of her own.
Since the 1960s, Cher has been an enduring icon, regularly returning with big hits after a long time away from the charts. Her 1998 single “Believe” ushered in the use of Auto-Tune — for better or worse — into pop music. While some of her big 1970s hits aren’t as well regarded as, say, her 1980s rock singles like “If I Could Turn Back Time”, she remains an outside chance for induction just because of how a big a name she is.
Last year, Cher said some negative comments about the Rock Hall and not being in already. Many artists who don’t like the Hall change their tune once they’re actually in, so who’s to say if that keeps her out. What might keep her out is the presence of Mariah Carey, another iconic pop star who might make some ballots over Cher. Cher’s rock credentials may make her a more appealing choice to rock purist voters than Carey, though. There is also a possibility that Cher gets in through a side category, likely musical excellence, since that seems like a thing the Hall might do. I think she might have enough votes to either just get into the class or be right outside of the threshold. If she doesn’t make it in this year, she’ll probably get in the next time she’s here.
Dave Matthews Band
Eligible since: 2019
Previous nominations: 1 (2020)
Studio albums: 10
Chart stats: 4 top 40 hits (plus 4 airplay top 40 hits)
Most played song on Spotify: “Crash Into Me” (1996, 212 million plays)
Best-selling album: Crash (1996, 7x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #1548
Chance for induction: Medium.
DMB are the wildcard in this ballot, just as they were the last time they were here in 2020. Unique in sound and style, DMB has radio hits and they have higher album sales than you’d expect, even though as a jam band much of their best material was distributed for free via fan-taped concert recordings. They also have an overarching influence on later adult alternative singer-songwriters such as Jack Johnson and John Mayer, and they have some of the industry connections that will make them a well known name to voters. DMB have also been enduring: They’ve had a string of #1 albums stretching from 1998 to 2018, and like fellow ’90s jam brethren Phish, you can probably find them touring and selling out arenas and amphitheaters this summer.
What they don’t have is acclaim or respectability. If you ask someone on the street about the Dave Matthews Band, they might do an impression of Dave’s memorable singing style or mention the time one of their buses dumped a bunch of sewage onto a sightseeing boat in Chicago. It could be that lack of respect that keeps them out, but you can never really tell how well they will do.
The first time DMB were on the ballot, they topped the fan ballot but didn’t get in. The fan vote doesn’t really mean anything in the grand scheme of things other than showing the passion of an artists’ fanbase, which does count for something. I’m putting them at medium likelihood of getting in, because it’s too hard to tell.
Eric B. & Rakim
Eligible since: 2012
Previous nominations: 1 (2012)
Studio albums: 4
Chart stats: 1 top 40 hit
Most played song on Spotify: “Don’t Sweat the Technique” (1992, 65 million plays)
Best-selling album: Paid in Full (1987, Platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #242
Chance for induction: Very high for side-category induction.
Eric B & Rakim are one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop, and it was a shame to see them one and done with nominations over a decade ago. It’s great to see them back in the mix, as Eric B’s beats and Rakim’s rhymes were formative for the hip hop that followed their 1987 debut Paid in Full.
While their career was brief and they only appeared in the top 40 once with a guest appearance on a Jody Watley song, Eric B. & Rakim’s influence and acclaim is so huge that they can’t be ignored. The Hall has been picky with which hip hop artists are both nominated and inducted and it seems like only one rap act gets in a year. That’s why I think this nomination is actually more of a signifier that they’ll be getting in through one of the side-categories.
Recently, the Early Influence category was changed to the less constrictive Musical Influence to allow for the induction of influential acts who couldn’t clear the main ballot or never appeared on it. Eric B & Rakim seem like an artist in that situation, and if they don’t make the main induction list, expect to see them inducted anyway. They are almost certainly in this year.
Foreigner
Eligible since: 2003
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 9
Chart stats: 16 top 40 hits, including 1 number one
Most played song on Spotify: “I Want to Know What Love Is” (1984, 775 million plays)
Best-selling album: Double Vision (1978, 7x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #1027
Chance for induction: Medium.
To a lot of people, 1970s classic rock is the style of music that is synonymous with the Rock Hall, or at least the style of music it should focus on. Many of the biggest names are already in, and the remainder are either cult names like King Crimson or AOR acts that were successful, but not exactly critically acclaimed. The latter category is where you’ll find Foreigner, which included former King Crimson saxophonist Ian McDonald in its original lineup. To some people who complain about the Rock Hall, Foreigner is the platonic ideal of a nominee.
While Foreigner has a lot of songs everyone knows, I’m not really sure what makes them stand out from other classic rock bands who aren’t in yet and aren’t on the ballot instead. It’s unfair to judge an artist that is on the ballot based on who isn’t there in their place; an artist should be judged on their own merits, not be compared to others. It also discounts the artists’ fanbase and popularity.
I can’t helping thinking about what separates from Foreigner from similar bands that are either more acclaimed than them (Blue Oyster Cult, Boston) or have the same amount of radio recognition (Toto, Bad Company), or are perhaps not as well regarded but are more enduring and familiar (REO Speedwagon, Styx). Foreigner also have competition this year in the classic rock sphere with Peter Frampton, who had one big album but also might stand out a bit more to voters.
All of those questions should have been asked decades ago, since Foreigner have sat un-nominated for over 20 years, and those other bands I’ve brought up haven’t been nominated at all.
I feel like I’m underestimating Foreigner here, because there seems to be a groundswell for them on social media this year, so they do have the devoted fanbase that their album sales would imply. I think that out of the two classic rock artists on the ballot, Frampton is the one who gets in.
Foreigner seem like the kind of band that either get in right away the moment they’re finally on the ballot, like what happened with fellow classic rockers Rush and Cheap Trick, or they take two or three ballots before their ticket is punched. I’m leaning towards the latter this year with Foreigner, but the former wouldn’t surprise me either.
Peter Frampton
Eligible since: 1998
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 18
Chart stats: 6 top 40 hits
Most played song on Spotify: “Show Me the Way” (1976, 128 million plays)
Best-selling album: Frampton Comes Alive! (1976, 8x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #772
Chance for induction: Medium high.
Peter Frampton only had one big album, and it wasn’t even one of his studio releases, but Frampton Comes Alive! Is the kind of cultural touchstone that simply cannot be ignored. Frampton’s innovative use of the talk box resonated throughout the decades, and the gadget is still used as a cool effect by rock guitarists. The live set also spun off the most famous versions of his most popular songs: It’s the live versions of “Show Me the Way” and “Baby I Love Your Way” that were big chart hits, not their original studio versions.
While Frampton’s time as a hitmaker was brief, he remained well respected guitarist for years and has a good reputation in the industry. He also showed up at last year’s ceremony as part of the Link Wray tribute, and received a good reception for his guitar playing. That return of goodwill, plus the willingness to participate in the ceremony, might also tip Frampton over the line with voters.
Frampton seems like a better chance for induction that Foreigner, the other classic rock choice on the ballot. Foreigner might have more hits over a longer period of time, but Frampton had the more unique career to separate himself from the AOR pack. For fans of ’70s guitar rock, Frampton is their best bet this year.
Jane’s Addiction
Eligible since: 2013
Previous nominations: 1 (2017)
Studio albums: 4
Chart stats: 0 top 40 hits
Most played song on Spotify: “Jane Says” (1988, 121 million plays)
Best-selling album: Ritual de lo Habitual (1990, 2x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #288
Chance for induction: Medium low.
While writing this list, I was listening to the then-latest episode of the Who Cares About the Rock Hall? podcast, where former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield make his case for why Jane’s Addiction belong in the Rock Hall. While this means they’re the band whose case for induction is freshest in my mind while writing it, that doesn’t mean I think they have the best chance to get in this year.
A short career or moment of impact does not necessarily disqualify artists from the Hall. Buffalo Springfield and the Sex Pistols are in, after all. Jane’s Addiction burned brightly in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s as one of the first American alternative acts to gain mainstream acceptance. Along with other quirky, funk and hard rock inspired bands like Faith No More, Primus, Living Colour, Fishbone, and the already Red Hot Chili Peppers, they gave an identity to harder alternative music before Nirvana showed up. Their first two albums were very acclaimed, and they became well known despite never making the Top 40.
The band fell apart in the early ‘90s, but found a way to go out on top, as the landmark first Lollapalooza festival was originally created as Jane’s Addiction’s farewell tour. Their involvement with Lollapalooza is as important as their music was, and could be a point in their favor. Reunions since that initial breakup have varied in success, one bringing them their biggest Hot 100 hit in “Just Because”.
There aren’t many alternative artists on this ballot this year, and the two that are (Sinead O’Connor and Oasis) are so different from Jane’s that they do not really conflict. This is a busy ballot this year, and Jane’s Addiction might get lost in the shuffle again. However, the alleged increase of votes from five to seven might make Jane’s, who seem like the kind of artist who’d be many voters sixth pick, to actually get in.
Overall, Jane’s chances are somewhere in the middle of the pack on the ballot: They don’t have the name recognition of a big name alternative band, but they are by no means obscure. Like Dave Matthews, they’re an act we’re going to have and see where they fall come induction announcement time.
Kool & The Gang
Eligible since: 1995
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 26
Chart stats: 22 top 40 hits, include 1 number one
Most played song on Spotify:“Get Down On It” (1981, 271 million plays)
Best-selling album: Emergency (1984, 2x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #1054
Chance for induction: High.
Talk about long overdue: Kool & The Gang should have been on the ballot and in the Hall around the time their funk peers Earth Wind & Fire and Parliament Funkadelic got in during the late 90s and early 00s. Kool & The Gang have long been one of the Rock Hall’s biggest snubs because they have just about everything you’d want from an inductee: A recognizable sound that separated them from their peers, a bunch of songs everyone knows, and a long career where they adapted to trends while retaining their identity. Kool & The Gang samples are all over hip-hop too, and they have a bunch of respect and influence across multiple genres.
Sadly, many of the original members of Kool & The Gang have died over the last few years, and it’s a shame the Hall waited this long to even get them on here. Expect them to get the “Wait, they weren’t in yet?” vote. Joe Kcwazala, the stand-up comedian who co-hosts Who Cares About the Rock Hall?, has championed Kool & The Gang for the Hall for years, and it’ll be good to see his top snub corrected, likely this year.
Lenny Kravitz
Eligible since: 2015
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 11
Chart stats: 5 top 40 hits
Most played song on Spotify: “Are You Gonna Go My Way” (1993, 370 million plays)
Best-selling album: Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993) and 5 (1998) (both 2x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #651
Chance for induction: Medium high
Lenny Kravitz seems like a sure-fire Hall of Fame inductee, and in many ways he is. Like a lot of people on this ballot, he has hits and recognizable songs, a long career, and industry connections. But apart from maybe his debut album Let Love Rule, he hasn’t been much of a critical favorite. While Kravitz was a musical chameleon who was keen to explore retro styles, he was not a trendsetter in any of the genres he recorded in. He is not without influence, though. Chris Molanphy’s Hit Parade podcast points out that he is something of a predecessor to Bruno Mars’ genre-hopping tendencies. FutureRockLegends, the Rock Hall fan site that provides stats and speculation for nearly every artist eligible for the Hall, is skeptical about Kravitz’ Rock Hall credentials.
That doesn’t mean Kravitz won’t get in the Hall. He has the name recognition as a popular rock musician in the 90s, a decade that the Hall hasn’t quite full represented just yet even though all ten years of it are now eligible. Even those with strict definitions of what the Rock Hall should be inducting, shouldn’t have a problem with him. Despite his lack of critical acclaim, I can see him getting no problem. His nomination is similar to that of Journey’s in that regard, and they got in on their first ballot. While not quite a lock, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lenny Kravitz as one of the inductees this year.
Oasis
Eligible since: 2020
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 7
Chart stats: 1 top 40 hit (plus 3 airplay Top 40 hits)
Most played song on Spotify: “Wonderwall” (1995, 1.8 billion plays)
Best-selling album: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995, 4x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #59
Chance for induction: Medium high.
You should never discount the chances for a classic, meat & potatoes rock band to do well in Rock Hall voting. That’s why I’m not totally counting out Foreigner and I’m certainly not counting out Oasis.
Oasis were successful worldwide, and particularly their native UK where they were one of the most popular artists in any genre of the decade as the center of the storied Britpop movement. The Hall has been inducting ’90s alt rockers at a fair clip over the last few years. Oasis are one of several bands that seem like a good pick for the next in line, particularly given their global popularity.
Oasis were still quite popular in the US, however, with several well remembered songs and two highly regarded albums. However, their career waned globally after their overstuffed third album. They remained huge in the UK and Europe until they split in 2009, but were only an occasional presence on the American charts in their last decade. The contentious relationship between the Gallagher brothers who led the band also provided the decade with one of its most closely followed rock stories.
It’s possible that only one or neither Gallagher will show up at the induction and a reunion seems out of the cards at this moment. They’ll do well, particularly with the voting contingents that skew towards British rock and ‘90s music. Their induction would also mean that Andy Bell, their later bassist who also leads the much admired shoegaze band Ride, would also become a Hall of Famer. I think Oasis are on the bubble this year, and could make it in. That depends on the size of the class, given the increased number of votes on the ballot. If they don’t make it in this year, there’s a good chance they’ll be back on the ballot immediately.
Sinéad O’Connor
Eligible since: 2013
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 10
Chart stats: 1 top 40 hit and number one single
Most played song on Spotify: “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990, 342 million plays)
Best-selling album: I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (1990, 2x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #300
Chance for induction: Medium high
It’s been a while since we’ve had a nomination immediately after an artist’s death, as is the case here. O’Connor’s peak was short, but she made two important albums and remained a well known name for the rest of her life. O’Connor’s biggest hit was her spellbinding cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U”, but she was so much more than one great number one hit. Those seeking rock guitar artists will find that sound all over O’Connor’s superlative debut The Lion and the Cobra and particularly its semi-hit “Mandinka”.
O’Connor is one of the few alternative artists on the ballot this year. Given her recent passing and posthumous recollections of how great she was, she’ll be a fresh on the mind of a lot of voters. The only down-side is how short her peak was, for both musical and social reasons.
Following O’Connor’s death last year, there was a groundswell of pieces that detailed her importance, influence and the quality of her music. Spin magazine even went as far to name her their artist of the year for 2023. This debut nomination is probably O’Connor’s best chance to get in the Hall, as unfortunate as being tied to her recent death as it may be. She might have a groundswell to get in right away. Either she just makes the final induction list, or she’s right outside of it.
Ozzy Osbourne
Eligible since: 2006
Previous nominations: 0 solo, but inducted as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006
Studio albums: 13
Chart stats: 3 top 40 hits
Most played song on Spotify: “Crazy Train” (1980, 624 million plays)
Best-selling album: Blizzard of Ozz (1980, 5x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #788
Chance for induction: Medium high.
Heavy metal fans are probably the most vocal fanbase about their favorite genre being snubbed by the Hall, and it’s hard to blame them. While there are a handful of progressive and hard rock artists who influenced or dabbled in metal during their careers, few of the genre’s important and worthy artists are actually in. It’s just Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Judas Priest, the latter of whom got in through a side category. Iron Maiden and Motorhead have been nominated, but they have not made it into the Hall just yet.
Ozzy Osbourne is already in with Sabbath, but his solo career had a distinct influence from the band and made him the most popular he’d ever been with a general audience. His debut solo album is considered one of the best metal albums of the 80s, and his other albums from the decade contained enduring classics of the genre. The Blizzard of Ozz album also introduced the wider world to the late and much lamented guitarist Randy Rhoads, who is already in the Hall through a side category.
Double inductions are a Hall specialty and there’s a small list of artists who have been inducted for both their work with a band and their solo career. Osbourne is deserving of such an honor, and he might have the best chances of any guitar rock artist on the ballot this year.
Osbourne remains a beloved rock figure, and he has instant name recognition. He has pretty much everything you’d want in a Rock Hall nominee, aside from those who might be reluctant to use one of their ballot selections on someone who is technically already in. He seems like the kind of monumental figure who will get in on their first appearance. The only thing that might hold Ozzy back is that he’s already in the Hall with Sabbath. That might be the main reason why he might not have enough votes make it in the first time out as a solo act. If he doesn’t expect him to be back immediately and expect him to be the next double inductee regardless.
Sade
Eligible since: 2010
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 6
Chart stats: 5 top 40 hits
Most played song on Spotify: “Smooth Operator” (1984, 382 million plays)
Best-selling album: Diamond Life (1984), Promise (1985) and Love Deluxe (1992) (all 4x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #614
Chance for induction: Medium high.
Sade were the artist I personally was most excited to see on the ballot. They are the kind of pleasant surprise nomination that maybe shouldn’t be as left-field as they seem. And yes, Sade is a band; The other three members aside from singer Sade Adu are also included in their nomination. Sade has a good case. They have the hits, the acclaim, the influence, and the goodwill. All six of the albums they have released over the past 40 years have been acclaimed best-sellers. Sade aren’t quite one thing or another, and they are beloved by both R&B and new wave rock fans.
While they would be an automatic selection for my ballot if I had one, Sade seem like they’d be battling it out for the seventh pick on some others. They seem a worthy act that might get lost in the shuffle with bigger names. The same thing happened to Los Lobos in 2016. I am leaning towards them not getting in this year, but have a feeling they will be back on the ballot right away and will be in within the next year or two.
A Tribe Called Quest
Eligible since: 2015
Previous nominations: 2 (2022 and 2023)
Studio albums: 6
Chart stats: 0 top 40 hits
Most played song on Spotify: “Can I Kick It?” (1990, 268 million plays)
Best-selling album: The Low End Theory (1991), Midnight Marauders (1993), and Beats, Rhymes and Life (1996) (all platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #116
Chance for induction: High.
Tribe has been on the ballot for three consecutive years, and that means either they’re doing well in voting and are close to meeting the threshold, or someone in the nomination committee is really pushing for their inclusion. Either way, their third straight appearance is a good indicator of their chances to finally make it in the Hall.
There are no other, bigger rap acts on the ballot that could take votes away from them: No OutKast, No Wu Tang, No Fugees, No De La Soul. Eric B & Rakim are the only other hip hop act on the ballot, and I’ve already mentioned that I think the get in through other means. Tribe never had a Top 40 pop hit, but importance in the music pantheon isn’t just measured by chart hits. What they do have is three of the most acclaimed albums of the 90s, significant influence on later artists, and well remembered songs that have become part of the rap canon like “Scenario”, “Check the Rhime” and “Can I Kick It?”.
Based on how often they’ve been showing up on the ballot, the lack of competition, and the increased number of votes per ballot, this might be Tribe’s best ever chance at induction. I think this is their year.
Who would I pick?
As mentioned earlier, the Rock Hall has increased the number of votes that ballot recipients have from five to seven this year. This is a good idea, and one that might put a small dent into the backlog that the Hall has built up over the decades. Last year, I wrote a piece about how the Rock Hall could improve itself and start clearing the backlog of worthy artists that has vexed music fans since the 1990s. Two extra selections on the ballot is at least a nod towards recognizing the backlog, but we will have to see what happens when the inductees are announced later this year and if there are more inductees beyond the usual seve because of it.
I don’t have a ballot, but it’s always fun to think about who you’d choose if you did. I considered influence, acclaim, popularity when picking these, but I cannot discount when a personal favorite makes the ballot, everyone does it with every ballot for entertainment honors and awards.
If I had a ballot I would vote for:
Mariah Carey
Kool & The Gang
Ozzy Osbourne
Sinead O’Connor
Sade
A Tribe Called Quest
Eric B. & Rakim
On the bubble: Cher, Mary J. Blige, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Frampton
Who do I think will get in this year?
My prediction for the class of 2024 is:
Mariah Carey
Cher
Peter Frampton
Kool & The Gang
Lenny Kravitz
Ozzy Osbourne
A Tribe Called Quest
Musical influence: Eric B & Rakim
On the bubble: Foreigner, Sinead O’Connor, Oasis, Sade
I think the Hall will do what they’ve done for the last couple years: Induct artists that cover a bunch of different styles and feature marquee superstars (Mariah, Cher), rockers to keep the detractors happy (Lenny Kravitz, Frampton, Osbourne), lesser known acts who were significant or influential in their own way (Tribe), and longtime snubs (Kool & The Gang).
I also think Eric B & Rakim are going in no problem, but through one of the side categories, and that’s why they’re not my “ballot.” They might be joined in the Musical Influence and Musical Excellence categories by some artists who had been on the ballot before, but not this year. Other artists I wouldn’t be surprised if they got in this way this year include the MC5, Fela Kuti, New York Dolls, Dionne Warwick, and Iron Maiden.
As for the artists I don’t think get in this year, I think Foreigner, Sinead, and Oasis might be the most on the bubble. If eight inductees are selected, I think it’s Foreigner that gets in instead of Oasis and Sinead. I can see all three of them go either way and I think they’ll be back on the ballot right away in 2025 if they do not get in. Dave Matthews Band are too hard to predict. Mary J. Blige has stiff competition from Mariah Carey. Jane’s Addiction might get some support because they are the only band from their era on the ballot, but I think they fall short too.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will announce their nominees sometime later this year. Until then, all those without a ballot can do is discuss those artists and speculate about who might get in. That is, if you don’t think the entire idea of a Rock Hall is ridiculous on its face. Fair enough if that’s your opinion – although I bet it’s not if you got this far.
Featured image courtesy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame press room
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