Since its initial opening in 1995, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has been a sought-after prize for seasoned musicians looking to be cemented among those who inspired them. The prestigious honor of joining the wide range of musicians who grace the halls of this larger-than-life pyramid in downtown Cleveland has only been gifted to 365 bands/musicians over the years. The likes of Chuck Berry, The Kinks, and Roy Orbison have been inducted into the hall over the years and annually they announce the newest roster of possible inductees as soon as that list hits the public, everyone has an opinion on it.
This year is no different as the organization has announced its nominees for the 2023 induction ceremony. The likes of The White Stripes, Kate Bush, and Rage Against The Machine are some of the few selected for the honor. Two of the more notable nominees come from a different world than the rest of the pack, hip-hop pioneers A Tribe Called Quest and the innovative Missy Elliot have been nominated to join the ranks of music’s elite.
One of the strongest opinions that comes up every year is that some “purists” have their disdain for the inclusion of hip-hop into the Rock Hall as some call it. The argument is that it should strictly be for Rock and Rock adjacent acts, all this just to simply ignore the impact hip-hop has had on the world and denounce the longevity these rappers have achieved. In order to be eligible for a nomination is simple, your debut single must be 25 years old, that’s it. There are no other rules to join the rankings of music greatest, so throw on your The Who LP from the 70s and let the powers that be decide whether or not Jay-Z’s legacy should be housed next to Deep Purple.
Despite the faceless outrage of the genre’s inclusion, hip-hop has become an undeniable presence in pop culture and it continues to grow each day. Rightfully so, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame continues to add rap acts to their yearly list of nominees and sometimes, even grants one with the opportunity to be celebrated by landing the coveted title of the inductee. Glide has gone through and found every hip-hop act that has been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and all the acts that made it in.
Jay-Z
Inducted: 2021
As soon as Jay-Z’s landmark debut album hit 25 years, the committee was quick to place him in the hall. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Jay-Z received acceptance into the hall the first time his name was eligible for the ballot.
LL Cool J
Inducted: 2021
Alongside his fellow New York City alumni, LL Cool J joined Jay-Z as the second hip-hop artist to be inducted in 2021. 2021 was the sixth time LL Cool J was nominated, finally securing his rightful spot in the hall after being eligible for over a decade.
The Notorious B.I.G
Inducted: 2020
One year after he was eligible, Brooklyn’s finest The Notorious B.I.G was given his well-earned spot in the hall. When he was inducted, he joined just six other hip-hop acts with himself and Tupac being the only solo acts at the time.
Tupac Shakur
Inducted: 2017
Another artist who was quick to join the Rock Hall as soon as they were eligible, Tupac was inducted into the hall of fame right after he was eligible in 2016. During his speech for the late rapper, Snoop Dogg is quoted saying “He is rightfully enshrined amongst the greatest musicians to ever do it.”
N.W.A
Inducted: 2016
For their undeniable contributions to the genre and culture as a whole, the controversial 4-piece N.W.A made their way into the Rock Hall. Their ballot entry came three-years after they were eligible after their debut turned 25 in 2013.
Public Enemy
Inducted: 2013
A similarly politically charged group like N.W.A, Public Enemy cemented their legacy with an entry into the hall in 2013. Their entry also came three years after they were eligible with their 1985 debut turning 25 in 2010.
Beastie Boys
Inducted: 2012
If any rap group is going to seem right at home in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it’s the punk-centered antics of the Beastie Boys. Although they became eligible in 2004, the trio didn’t receive the honor until 2012 when they were inducted by Chuck D and LL Cool J at the ceremony.
Run-DMC
Inducted: 2009
Arguably the first true rock stars of hip-hop, Run-DMC earned their spot in the hall in 2009. The honor comes just three years after the trio became eligible in 2006. They are the second hip-hop act to ever join the ranks of the Rock Hall.
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Inducted: 2007
Even after all their contributions to hip-hop that came solely through their music, the pioneering rap group continues to create lanes for the genre. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were the first rap group to be inducted into the Rock Hall. They were inducted as soon as their groundbreaking debut The Message turned 25 in 2007.
Eminem
Inducted: 2022
The freshest hip-hop act is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Eminem was the only rapper to join the hall at last year’s ceremony. His induction into the Rock Hall comes just one year after he became eligible and stands as one of the few solo hip-hop acts inducted into the hall.
A Tribe Called Quest
Eligible since: 2015
2023 marks the second year A Tribe Called Quest was put up for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Considering how long they have been eligible and their undeniable contributions to hip-hop, everyone is hopeful they finally get recognized the second time around.
Missy Elliot
Eligible since: 2023
With this upcoming ceremony marking the first time she is eligible to enter in the Rock Hall, Missy Elliot’s innovation seems to be immediately recognized. She joined an elite list of acts nominated this year as fans eagerly await to see who will make the final ballot this year.
Eric B. & Rakim
Eligible since: 2012
With only one nomination from the year they became eligible, the duo of Erick B. & Rakim is one of the most overlooked acts for the Rock Hall. Their albums are still toted as inspiration for young rappers to this day and it seems long overdue for the Rock Hall to give them their flowers.
Afrika Bambaataa
Eligible since: 2006
Without the work of Afrika Bambaataa, the rest of the artists mentioned on this list may have a completely different sound. With only one nomination from 2008, Bambaataa is an innovator who changed the perception of what a hip-hop instrumental can sound like, making his place amongst other music innovators in the hall a no-brainer.
