Shakira, Iron Maiden, Phil Collins Among Rock Hall Nominees/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Phil Collins, Lauryn Hill, Shakira and Iron Maiden headline the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees. The diverse ballot spans hip-hop, metal, R&B, pop and Britpop, with 10 first-time nominees. Inductees will be announced in April following a vote by more than 1,200 music professionals.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2026 Nominees
The 2026 nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have been unveiled, showcasing a wide-ranging mix of musical icons across rap, metal, R&B, pop, and alternative rock.
Among the headline names are Phil Collins, Lauryn Hill, Shakira, Iron Maiden, INXS, and the late R&B legend Luther Vandross.
The announcement includes 17 performer nominees, reflecting the Hall’s continued embrace of genre diversity and cultural impact.
Full 2026 Performer Nominee List
In addition to the top-billed artists, this year’s nominees include:
- Mariah Carey
- Melissa Etheridge
- Jeff Buckley
- Pink
- New Edition
- Sade
- Wu-Tang Clan
- Billy Idol
- Joy Division / New Order
- The Black Crowes
- Oasis
Ten of the 17 artists appear on the ballot for the first time, including Collins (as a solo artist), Hill, Shakira, INXS, Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan.
Notable Highlights
Phil Collins (Solo Recognition)
Phil Collins is already enshrined in the Hall as a member of Genesis, but this marks his first nomination as a solo artist. His solo catalog includes enduring hits like “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night.” He won eight Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for No Jacket Required in 1985.
Lauryn Hill’s Historic Impact
Lauryn Hill’s 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill became the first hip-hop album to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, cementing her place in music history.
Mariah Carey and Sade Return
Mariah Carey, previously nominated in 2024 and 2025, holds 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Sade, also nominated last year, remains a defining voice of sophisticated soul-pop with classics like “Smooth Operator.”
Metal, Hip-Hop and Britpop
Iron Maiden’s influence on heavy metal — particularly through albums like The Number of the Beast — continues to resonate globally. Wu-Tang Clan’s 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), redefined East Coast hip-hop. Britpop icons Oasis and post-punk legends Joy Division/New Order return after missing induction last year.
Honoring Late Legends
Luther Vandross, who died in 2005, sold more than 25 million albums and left behind timeless ballads like “Here and Now.” Jeff Buckley, whose 1994 album Grace remains critically acclaimed, died in 1997 but continues to influence generations of artists.
What Happens Next?
Artists become eligible 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording. More than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals will vote on this year’s class.
The 2026 inductees will be announced in April. In addition to performer inductees, the Hall will also honor recipients in three special categories:
- Musical Influence
- Musical Excellence
- Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award
Last year’s inductees included Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden and The White Stripes, among others.
As Rock Hall chairman John Sykes said in a statement, this year’s ballot reflects “the ever-evolving faces and sounds of Rock & Roll and its continued impact on youth culture.”
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