Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2026: All 17 Nominees, from Mariah Carey to Wu-Tang Clan
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced its 17 nominees for the Class of 2026 on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and the ballot stretches across pop, heavy metal, hip-hop, R&B and new wave. Ten of the 17 acts are first-time nominees, while familiar names like Mariah Carey and Oasis return for a third consecutive year.
Here’s what we know about the nominees, the voting process and the ceremony ahead.
The full list of 2026 nominees
The performers nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are:
- The Black Crowes
- Jeff Buckley
- Mariah Carey
- Phil Collins
- Melissa Etheridge
- Lauryn Hill
- Billy Idol
- INXS
- Iron Maiden
- Joy Division / New Order
- New Edition
- Oasis
- Pink
- Sade
- Shakira
- Luther Vandross
- Wu-Tang Clan
The 17 acts span multiple decades and genres. John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said in a press release, per People:
“This diverse list of talented nominees recognizes the ever-evolving faces and sounds of Rock & Roll and its continued impact on youth culture,” he added. “Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music’s highest honor and we look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 this Fall.”
Ten First-Time Nominees Join the Ballot
A striking feature of this year’s class is how many artists are receiving their first-ever nomination. Ten nominees are appearing on the ballot for the first time: Jeff Buckley, Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan.
The range among those first-timers is vast, from Lauryn Hill to Wu-Tang Clan to Shakira. For fans of these artists, a first nomination amounts to a formal acknowledgment of their lasting contributions to music.
Familiar Names Return for Another Shot
Several artists are back after previous nominations that did not result in induction.
Mariah Carey and Oasis are nominated for the third consecutive year, making this a pivotal moment for both acts. The Black Crowes and Billy Idol are nominated for the second consecutive year. Iron Maiden was previously nominated in 2021 and 2023, while Joy Division/New Order was previously nominated in 2023 and 2025. Sade was previously nominated in 2024.
How the Voting Process Works
Artists become eligible for nomination 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording. That quarter-century threshold is designed to ensure nominees have demonstrated a lasting impact on the music landscape.
Once the nominees are announced, ballots go to a voting panel of over 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. The release states that nominees are evaluated based on their impact on music culture, influence on other musicians and the longevity of their careers. It’s not simply about record sales or chart hits — it’s about how deeply an artist’s work shaped the broader musical conversation and inspired those who came after them.
When Will Inductees Be Announced?
Inductees will be revealed in April, along with recipients of the Musical Influence Award, Musical Excellence Award and the Ahmet Ertegun Non Performer Award. Those additional categories recognize contributions to music that go beyond the traditional performer designation, honoring behind-the-scenes figures, sidemen and artists whose influence has been profound even if it didn’t always land them in the mainstream spotlight.
The 2026 induction ceremony will take place in the fall. Exact dates have not yet been announced.
What to Watch For
With 17 nominees competing for a limited number of induction slots, not every act on this list will make it into the Class of 2026. For third-time nominees like Mariah Carey and Oasis, this year’s vote could carry particular weight. For first-timers like Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang Clan and Shakira, the nomination itself marks a new chapter. And for perennial contenders like Iron Maiden and Joy Division/New Order, the question remains whether this is the year the door finally opens.
The inductee announcement in April will narrow the field. Until then, these 17 acts await their verdict from the voting panel of over 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals.
Production of this article included the use of AI. It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.
