2024 Nominees Announced
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR 2024 INDUCTION
THE 2024 CEREMONY RETURNS TO DISNEY+ AND ABC
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced today the following Nominees for 2024 Induction:
- Mary J. Blige
- Mariah Carey
- Cher
- Dave Matthews Band
- Eric B. & Rakim
- Foreigner
- Peter Frampton
- Jane's Addiction
- Kool & the Gang
- Lenny Kravitz
- Oasis
- Sinéad O'Connor
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Sade
- A Tribe Called Quest
The 2024 ceremony will once again stream live on Disney+ with a special airing on ABC at a later date and available on Hulu the next day. The 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony streamed live on Disney+ for the first time ever; the special on ABC reached over 13 million viewers across linear and streaming, and ABC’s New Year’s Day telecast was the No. 1 entertainment choice among Adults18-49.
To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. Ten out of 15 of the Nominees are on the ballot for the first time, including Mariah Carey, Cher, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinéad O’Connor, Ozzy Osbourne and Sade.
“This remarkable list of Nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “Continuing in the true spirit of Rock & Roll, these artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”
The Nominees were announced today in partnership with ABC/Disney+ at the TCA in Los Angeles and on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame social channels.
Nominee ballots will be sent to an international voting body of more than 1,000 artists, historians, and members of the music industry. An artist’s musical impact and influence on other artists, length and depth of career and body of work as well as innovation and superiority in style and technique are taken into consideration.
Inductees will be announced in late April. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Ceremony will take place in Cleveland this fall with date and on-sale information to be announced.
Select Rock & Roll Hall of Fame donors and members receive exclusive Induction ticket opportunities. Donate or join by June 30 to be eligible. Visit rockhall.com/membership to learn more.
Press can access hi-resolution images and bios for the 2024 Nominees can be found here. Media credential applications for the Induction Ceremony will open in July.
About the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Born from the collision of rhythm & blues, country, and gospel, rock & roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the sound of youth culture and honors the artists whose music connects us all. We share stories of the people, events, and songs that shape our world through digital content, innovative exhibits, live music, engaging programs, and our annual Induction Ceremony. We intentionally foster a diverse and equitable non-profit Museum that encourages and embraces creativity and innovation. As a community leader, we value, empower, and respect all people. Join the millions who love rock & roll as much as you do. Visit us in Cleveland, Ohio or at rockhall.com and follow us on Facebook (@rockandrollhalloffame), Instagram (@rockhall), Twitter (@rockhall), TikTok (@RockHallFame), and YouTube (youtube.com/rockhall).
###
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
A Tribe Called Quest forever shifted the hip-hop landscape and expanded the creative possibilities for music. Their freedom of expression, ingenuity, and minimalist brilliance continue to inspire generations of artists and fans.
One of the most artistic, eclectic, and perceptive rap groups of the 1990s, A Tribe Called Quest nurtured a new alternative hip-hop sub-genre with a caste-free cross-pollination of hip-hop, jazz, and alternative rock. The pioneering group abandoned the aggressive machismo and hard-hitting sounds of James Brown that were prevalent in the era, delving instead into the more laid-back samples of the jazz-rap revolution. Their music was meant to create a metaphysical space for the listener, where one could retreat and confront the social issues facing the African American community with peace rather than rage and violence. This cerebral approach exemplified an intermingling of cultures and sound to yield beauty and understanding.
Formed in high school in Queens, New York, in 1985, A Tribe Called Quest featured Q-Tip serving as the producer-leader, Phife Dawg as the MC, Jarobi White as the spirited everyman, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad as the DJ and coproducer. Within four years, the group released three albums, now recognized as among the best: People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, The Low End Theory, and Midnight Marauders. “It was listening to N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton that inspired us to make The Low End Theory,” said Q-Tip. “Years later, I spoke to Dr. Dre, and he told me that hearing The Low End Theory inspired him to make The Chronic.”
The group became the nucleus of a New York collective known as the Native Tongues, a musical movement deeply rooted in Afrocentrism and positive, open-minded messages welcoming diverse identities and conceptions of Blackness. They created underground waves that continue to ripple throughout hip-hop, influencing artists like Pharrell Williams, Tyler, the Creator, and Quest Love in their approaches to social commentary, the use of Black musical traditions, and the visual culture of the African diaspora.
Selected discography:
“Can I Kick It?,” “Bonita Applebum,” “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo,” People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990) • “Check the Rhime,” “Jazz (We’ve Got),” “Scenario,” “Buggin’ Out,” The Low End Theory (1991) • “Electric Relaxation,” “Award Tour,” Midnight Marauders (1993) • “Find a Way,” The Love Movement (1998)
Nominees: Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife Dawg, Q-Tip, Jarobi White
CHER
An artist so iconic she needs only one name, Cher has used her distinctive voice, stage presence, and avant-garde fashion to achieve unprecedented success while blazing a trail for women performers. A musician who personifies female creative freedom in a male-dominated industry, Cher is the only woman to have a Number One hit on a Billboard chart in each of the past seven decades.
Cher’s breakthrough came from her work with then-husband Sonny Bono in the duo Sonny & Cher. Their 1965 signature hit “I Got You Babe” was a definitive musical moment for the early hippie counterculture. Amid the pair’s success, Cher launched a solo career, scoring hits like “Bang Bang.” In 1971, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour TV variety show helped establish Cher as a consummate entertainer and fashion icon. From bell-bottom jeans to feathered headdresses to navel-baring evening gowns, Cher has always brought personality and bold irreverence to her looks.
In the early 1970s, Cher gained even more popularity as a solo performer, and for more than five decades, she continuously reinvented her style and mastered multiple musical genres. Equally adept at the earthy folk pop of “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves,” the melodic disco of “Take Me Home,” and power ballads like “I Found Someone,” Cher’s versatility is evident. With acting roles in Silkwood (1983) and Mask (1985), Cher also became a star of the silver screen, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for Moonstruck in 1987.
Cher released the quintessential dance-pop classic “Believe” in 1998, pioneering the use of Auto-Tune as an artistic tool. This worldwide hit became an enduring queer anthem, solidifying her role as a longtime ally of – and inspiration to – the LGBTQIA+ community. Cher’s work has influenced other trailblazing artists including Madonna, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga. She has continued to fill dance floors with singles like “Woman’s World” and her 2018 ABBA covers album Dancing Queen. A tenacious performer who has triumphed over adversity and made comeback after comeback, Cher has earned her status as the Goddess of Pop.
Selected discography:
“I Got You Babe” (Sonny and Cher) (1965) • “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” (1966) • “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” (1971) • “I Found Someone,” “We All Sleep Alone,” Cher (1987) • Heart of Stone (1989) • Believe (1998) • “A Song for the Lonely,” Living Proof (2001) • “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” (2010) • “Woman’s World,” Closer to the Truth (2013)
Nominee: Cher
Supported by a communal fanbase, Dave Matthews Band harnessed an eclectic sound and relentless touring schedule to become one of the biggest bands in the world – and they have continued to pick up new generations of fans along the way. Dave Matthews Band are one of the top-selling live acts of all time, and they are the only band with seven consecutive albums debuting at Number One.
They have been called a jam band, a college band, a pop band – and to their devoted fans, they are simply “DMB.” Hailing from Charlottesville, Virginia, the band formed in 1991 and cultivated a trademark sound that includes long, intricate solos, non-traditional rock & roll instruments, unique time signatures, and an electric live show. The airy jazz of LeRoi Moore’s saxophone blends with the animated bluegrass of Boyd Tinsley’s violin, while drummer Carter Beauford’s in-the-pocket grooves and bassist Stefan Lessard’s melodic lines create a powerful rhythm section. Dave Matthews fronts the band with captivating vocals, imaginative lyrics, and percussive guitar strumming.
The band quickly generated strong word of mouth thanks to endless live shows and an active tape sharing community. The 1993 independent-label debut Remember Two Things was popular in the local scene, but their major label debut, 1994’s Under the Table and Dreaming, landed them mainstream hits like “What Would You Say,” “Satellite,” and “Ants Marching.” 1996’s Crash went seven-times Platinum, earned the band its first Grammy award (“So Much to Say”) and yielded another hit, “Crash Into Me.” Live albums like Live at Red Rocks ’95 capture the band’s onstage energy and feature longtime collaborator Tim Reynolds on electric guitar. Musically, the band has influenced a generation of acoustic-driven singer-songwriters like John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and O.A.R.
In 2019, the United Nations designated Dave Matthews Band as Environmental Goodwill Ambassadors, and Matthews has served on Farm Aid’s Board of Directors since 2001. The band’s advocacy and activism has improved our world and inspired fans to think and act in new ways.
Selected discography:
“Ants Marching,” Under the Table and Dreaming (1994) • “#41,” “Crash Into Me,” Crash (1996) • “Warehouse,” Live at Red Rocks (1997) • “Crush,” Before These Crowded Streets (1998) • • “The Space Between,” Everyday (2001) • “Shake Me Like a Monkey,” Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King (2009) • “Grey Street,” Live at Wrigley Field (2011) • “Samurai Cop (Oh Joy Begin),” Come Tomorrow (2018)
Nominees: Carter Beauford, Jeff Coffin, Stefan Lessard, Dave Matthews, Leroi Moore, Tim Reynolds, Rashawn Ross, Boyd Tinsley
ERIC B. & RAKIM
During hip-hop’s golden age in the 1980s, Eric B. & Rakim expanded the genre with unprecedented levels of rhyming, word interplay, and soulful beats. While high-energy party anthems dominated the scene, Eric B. & Rakim brought a smoother, more poetic approach to the musical landscape. With their innovations, they earned the respect and admiration of peers and fans. As JAY-Z acknowledged in 2017, the duo’s lyric “constant elevation causes expansion” is a mantra that every artist should live by, and it sums up the massive legacy of Eric B. & Rakim’s work.
Hailing from Long Island, the duo arrived on the scene as teenagers influenced by both jazz greats and funk legends. Under the tutelage of rapper Marley Marl, they released “Eric B. Is President.” With Eric B. sampling the groove from James Brown’s “Funky President,” Rakim set poetry in motion, altering the focus of the rhyme to the middle of each line rather than the end – a technique known as internal rhyming. While many MCs were skilled improvisers, Rakim showed his contemporaries that hip-hop lyrics could also be written and carefully crafted poetry – ushering in a new era of stylized rhyme and inspiring generations of lyricists to follow.
The duo’s debut album Paid in Full allowed Eric B. to showcase his masterful percussive beats and effective use of samples. Having grown up listening to John Coltrane, Rakim admired the interplay between melodic instrumental lines and syncopated rhythms in jazz, and he brought this interwoven approach to hits like “I Know You Got Soul” and “My Melody,” creating conversations between his words and Eric B.’s beats. In contrast to their contemporaries, Eric B. & Rakim took a more minimalist approach to music, with their masterful production allowing space for complex and nuanced wordplay to shine.
During their six years together, the duo’s four heavily influential albums showed that hip-hop can be thoughtful, graceful, intentional, and convey a message. It is impossible to imagine artists like Eminem and Kendrick Lamar without the innovations of Eric B. & Rakim.
Selected discography:
“Eric B. Is President” (1986) • “I Ain’t No Joke,” “My Melody,” “Paid in Full,” "I Know You Got Soul," Paid in Full (1987) • “Follow the Leader,” “Microphone Fiend,” Follow the Leader (1988) • “Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em,” Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em (1990) • “Don’t Sweat the Technique,” “Juice (Know the Ledge),” Don’t Sweat the Technique (1992)
Nominees: Eric B. & Rakim
FOREIGNER
With a legacy spanning five decades, Foreigner has dominated rock & roll radio, making them one of the best-selling rock bands of all time. With worldwide sales topping eighty million records, Foreigner’s extensive catalog of hits is still recognizable to this day, with their music embedded in pop culture from Miami Vice and The Simpsons to Arrested Development and Stranger Things.
Foreigner was built around the creative forces of Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, whose original vision for Foreigner was a fusion of rock, progressive rock, R&B, and pop sounds, and the lineup of Jones, Dennis Elliot, Al Greenwood, Ed Gagliardi, and Ian McDonald, paired with Lou Gramm’s distinctive and emotive vocals, brought it all together. Jones and Gramm became legendary songwriting partners, crafting an arsenal of multiplatinum albums and Top Thirty hits, including “Cold As Ice,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Hot Blooded,” and “Juke Box Hero.” Their Number One U.S. hit “I Want to Know What Love Is” remains one of the Top 25 performed songs from the ASCAP catalog. In recognition of their partnership, the duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.
The Jones/Gramm songwriting partnership resulted in Foreigner’s first eight singles charting in the Billboard Top Twenty, making them the first band to achieve this milestone since the Beatles. With the massive success of Foreigner’s second album Double Vision, the best-selling record of their career, the band quickly became an arena headliner.
Before recording 1979’s Head Games, Gagliardi was replaced by ex-Peter Frampton and Roxy Music bassist Rick Wills; Gagliardi’s departure was shortly followed by that of Greenwood and McDonald. Despite these lineup changes, the quartet of Jones, Gramm, Elliot, and Wills continued to record and tour arenas throughout the 1980s in whatever iteration they found themselves – a premise that has served the band for the decades since, as it continues with only Jones from the original lineup. Foreigner’s nearly fifty-year musical legacy has influenced everyone from Bon Jovi to Melissa Etheridge to Mark Ronson.
Selected discography:
“Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold As Ice,” Foreigner (1977) • “Hot Blooded,” “Double Vision,” Double Vision (1978) • “Head Games,” Head Games (1979) • “Urgent,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “Juke Box Hero,” 4 (1981) • “I Want to Know What Love Is,” Agent Provocateur (1984) • “I Don’t Want to Live Without You,” “Say You Will,” Inside Information (1987)
Nominees: Dennis Elliott, Ed Gagliardi, Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood, Mick Jones, Ian McDonald, Rick Wills
JANE’S ADDICTION
Jane’s Addiction thrust subversive, underground sounds into the mainstream, blazing the trail for Soundgarden, Nirvana, and other alternative artists. Formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, Jane’s Addiction rejected extravagance and made their own rules, creating an energy-filled concoction of punk, glam, metal, and art that shook up the Sunset Strip hair metal scene.
Self-described as a “hodge-podge” band, each member of Jane’s Addiction brought their own influences and style of playing to L.A.’s underground. Stephen Perkins’ tribal-influenced drumming propelled Jane beyond the rhythms of rock, while Eric Avery’s heavy bass grooves formed the backbone of their sound. Dave Navarro’s power riffing and astral solos proved that an undeniably great guitarist can be in an underground band, while Perry Farrell’s voice swung between innocence and urgency, crafting gothic tales of living in L.A. As Dave Navarro admitted in 2003, “There wasn’t a single unified thread between us.” And yet, the fusing of stylistic differences created an idiosyncratic tension – inspiring countless artists to create their own voice in music.
During their short and turbulent career, Jane’s Addiction were given complete control at Warner Brothers, releasing two albums that defined this era of rock: Nothing’s Shocking and Ritual de lo Habitual. Their final tour created the first-ever Lollapalooza, which for over thirty years has provided the blueprint for the modern festival by giving a diversity of artists, subcultures, and fans a communal platform to shine.
They lit the beacon of the alternative nation subculture that Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, and Måneskin have picked up and carried. Jane’s Addiction sound like their city – the signature, contradictory combination of violence, drugs, beauty, fear, and the redemptive power of the City of Angels permeates their lyrics and sound. In the words of Tom Morello, “Various important bands get credit for being the first ‘alternative’ band to break through. Let’s set the record straight: it was ‘Juana’s Adicción.’”
Selected discography:
“Jane Says,” “Pigs in Zen,” Jane’s Addiction (1987) • “Mountain Song,” “Summertime Rolls,” Nothing’s Shocking (1988) • “Stop!” “Been Caught Stealing,” “Three Days,” Ritual de lo Habitual (1990) • “End to the Lies,” The Great Escape Artist (2011)
Nominees: Eric Avery, Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins
KOOL & THE GANG
For over fifty years, Kool & the Gang have been essential innovators of funk, soul, disco, and R&B, creating rock & roll’s most danceable anthems. They are one of the grooviest and most sampled bands of all time, with a recognizable sound that resonates across generations and has brought joy to millions of fans around the globe.
Kool & the Gang took their funky groove all the way to the top with a mix of pop songwriting, fantastic vocals, and a killer horn section. Formed in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1964, brothers Robert “Kool” and Ronald Bell got their start in clubs, mastering a repertoire of jazz standards and Motown covers. In 1969, they signed to newly formed De-Lite Records and released the up-tempo instrumental “Kool & the Gang.” They subsequently released two live albums showcasing their ability to produce brilliantly crafted songs and blistering jams over an infectious beat. Their big break came in 1973 with the album Wild and Peaceful, which leaned deep into funky grooves, horn arrangements, and chanted vocals on the songs “Funky Stuff,” “Jungle Boogie,” and “Hollywood Swinging” – three instant dance floor classics. They slid easily into the growing disco scene, with their “Open Sesame” featured on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.
In the 1980s, Kool & the Gang added lead vocalist James “J.T.” Taylor and released two massive hits, the bumping “Ladies Night” and the smooth “Too Hot.” With this, they accomplished something rare in the music industry – maintaining the fans who loved their funky roots, while reaching an entirely new audience tuned into their growing pop sensibilities. In 1980, they blew the roof off with the international hit “Celebration” and produced nineteen charting singles during the decade.
Kool & the Gang’s impact cannot be understated – from the throwback grooves of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars to the inclusion of the group’s songs in almost every party playlist. Countless samples of their music laid the foundation for some of hip-hop’s biggest hits by artists including Eric B. & Rakim, Tupac, Lil’ Kim, and JAY-Z.
Selected discography:
“Kool & the Gang,” “Let the Music Take Your Mind,” Kool and the Gang (1969) • “Funky Man,” Live at the Sex Machine (1971) • “Funky Stuff,” “Jungle Boogie,” Wild and Peaceful (1973) • “Ladies Night,” “Too Hot,” Ladies Night (1979) • “Celebration,” Celebrate! (1980) • “Get Down On It” (1981) • “Joanna” (1983) • “Fresh,” “Cherish,” Emergency (1984) • “Stone Love” (1986)
Nominees: Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Claydes “Charles” Smith, James “J.T.” Taylor, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Ricky Westfield
LENNY KRAVITZ
Rock god. Guitar hero. Soldier of soul. Lenny Kravitz refused to confine himself to any one genre, reimagining rock & roll for the 1990s and beyond.
Born into a multiracial, multiethnic household, Lenny Kravitz cut his teeth in music banging on a pots-and-pans drum kit at age 3 and singing in the California Boys Choir. From there, he became an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, ultimately playing the bulk of the instruments on all eleven of his albums. It took Kravitz time to find a record label that could market an artist who stirred everything from psychedelic rock and funk to R&B and hard rock into a deliciously retro but entirely fresh stew.
After a bidding war among the five major labels, Kravitz chose Virgin because it gave him complete creative control. He soon hit Number Two on the Billboard Hot 100 with the soulfully smooth “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” and reached international superstardom with the riff-driven barnburner “Are You Gonna Go My Way.” Kravitz continues to defy categorization with singles like the infectiously groovy “Fly Away” and his 2024 album’s debut single, the futuristic and sultry “TK421.” His standout lyrics detail the realities of race, notably “Bank Robber Man” – a personal story of racial profiling – and “Black and White America” – where he weaves his family’s story into the wider promise of an Obama-era America.
Lenny Kravitz redefined classic rock and created space for a generation of bands like the Struts and Greta Van Fleet to continue expanding the rock genre. His record-breaking four consecutive Grammy Awards for Male Rock Vocal Performance illustrate his staggering impact. Beyond music, he is a cultural icon – he founded Kravitz Design, represents Y cologne, and portrayed the stylist Cinna in The Hunger Games franchise. No one else in rock & roll embodies the concept of cool like Lenny Kravitz.
Selected discography:
Let Love Rule (1989) • “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over,” Mama Said (1991) • “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993) • “Fly Away,” “American Woman,” 5 (1998) • “Bank Robber Man,” Lenny (2001) • Black and White America (2011) • “TK421,” Blue Electric Light (2024)
Nominee: Lenny Kravitz
MARIAH CAREY
The indisputable Songbird Supreme. Everything Mariah Carey touches turns to gold. With her five-octave vocal range and revolutionary riffs and runs, her voice is incomparable. As a singer, songwriter, performer, and record producer, her dynamic career trajectory has had an enormous impact on the pop music landscape, generating nineteen Number One hits, second only to the Beatles.
Carey’s rise to stardom was the stuff of record industry fairytale. Raised in a home plagued by chaos, she developed her whisper-singing as self-soothing lullaby. At 17, she moved to New York City, eventually landing a pivotal role as a back-up singer. In a move that foreshadowed the take-charge professionalism of her career, she gave her demo to CBS Records President Tommy Mottola at an industry party and was fast-tracked as a “priority artist.”
Carey’s self-titled 1990 debut, the “album that launched a million runs,” featured four Number One singles, cementing a chart-topping tradition that continued throughout her career. That year, she won the Grammy for Best New Artist, and the single “Vision of Love” won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Throughout the 1990s, Carey took more creative control with each album. As her creative relationship with Mottola dissolved, Carey drew inspiration from the growing success of hip-hop, working with Ol’ Dirty Bastard on the “Fantasy” remix – a move that helped spark the R&B/hip-hop marriage that dominated the charts through the 2000s. The Emancipation of Mimi was not only the best-selling album of 2005, but proved to be such a creative gamechanger that some critics considered it her “comeback album.”
Her accomplishments go well beyond record sales and charts. She co-founded Camp Mariah, where inner-city children explore creative interests. Her well-received role in the 2009 film Precious solidified her versatility. Melismatic singers like Beyoncé and Christina Aguilera are inspired by Carey’s vocal prowess, and her legacy continues to shine – the 1994 holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” remains one of the best-selling singles of all time. Mariah Carey’s high notes will reverberate for generations.
Selected discography:
“Vision of Love,” “Someday,” Mariah Carey (1990) • “Emotions,” “Make It Happen,” Emotions (1991) • “I’ll Be There” (with Trey Lorenz), MTV Unplugged EP (1992) • “Hero,” “Without You,” Music Box (1993) • “One Sweet Day” (with Boyz II Men), “Always Be My Baby,” Daydream (1995) • “Fantasy” (Bad Boy with O.D.B.) (1995) • “Honey,” Butterfly (1997) • The Emancipation of Mimi (2005) • “Big Energy (Remix)” (Latto and Mariah Carey featuring DJ Khaled) (2022)
Nominee: Mariah Carey
MARY J. BLIGE
The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige flipped the R&B world on its head. Her anthems of resilience and empowerment have inspired a legion of loyal fans while influencing virtually every R&B artist of the last twenty years, including Aaliyah, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and SZA. Her career dominance reveals impressive longevity – fourteen Top Ten studio albums, nine Grammys, and over fifty million albums sold.
Blige signed with Uptown Records in 1989, becoming the label’s youngest and first female artist. Her debut singlehandedly kick-started the hip-hop soul genre and produced Number One R&B hits “Real Love” and “You Remind Me.” Her image – oversized jerseys, backwards baseball hats, and combat boots – introduced a new look to R&B music, and her lyrics embraced an authenticity that resonated with fans – especially women. Her mid-1990s hits with the Notorious B.I.G., Method Man, and JAY-Z created the blueprint for R&B/hip-hop collaborations for decades to follow.
Blige emerged as a songwriter with hits “Be Happy” and “My Life” from her sophomore effort My Life, while her song “Not Gon’ Cry” showcased the emotional ache of Blige’s affecting vocals. The 2000s ushered in more success with Number One hits “Family Affair” and Grammy-winning “Be Without You.” Blige continues to craft hits, including her ode to unapologetic happiness “Just Fine,” critically acclaimed London Sessions, and collaborations with Inductees Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, and Missy Elliott. In 2018, she received two Oscar nominations for the film Mudbound and became the first person nominated for acting and original song in the same year. In 2022, Blige co-headlined the Super Bowl halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem – earning her an Emmy.
Blige’s music echoes our experiences with love and life. She helps us move on, move out, and move up. She’s the much-needed soundtrack to our heartache, vulnerability, and courage to refuse to accept anything less than we deserve. Long Live Queen Mary J!
Selected discography:
“Real Love,” What’s the 411? (1992) • “I’m Goin’ Down,” “My Life,” My Life (1994) • “Not Gon’ Cry” (1996) • Share My World (1997) • “Your Child,” Mary (1999) • “Family Affair,” No More Drama (2001) • “Be Without You,” The Breakthrough (2005) • Strength of a Woman (2017) • “Mighty River,” Mudbound soundtrack (2017)
Nominee: Mary J. Blige
OASIS
Oasis reclaimed big, brash, fun rock & roll with their anthemic sound, cool swagger, expertly crafted lyrics, and electrifying live performances. Exploding out of the 1990s U.K. rock & roll scene to achieve worldwide popularity, the band are among the most successful and influential acts of all time, selling over a hundred million records and inspiring countless bands like the Killers and Arctic Monkeys.
Oasis formed in Manchester, England. The band’s seminal 1994 debut album Definitely Maybe was a critical and commercial smash that included the singles “Live Forever” (the band’s first Top Ten hit) and “Supersonic.” The band found even greater success with sophomore release (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, a Stateside breakthrough that boasted the hooky, era-defining hits “Wonderwall” and “Champagne Supernova” – perfect songs for massive crowd sing-alongs.
Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher – and their oft combative relationship that would come to provide plenty of tabloid fodder – were the heart and soul of Oasis, with Liam as lead vocalist and Noel as lead guitarist and primary songwriter. The band was rounded out by founding members bassist Paul “Guigsy” McGuigan (later replaced by Andy Bell), guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs (later replaced by Gem Archer), and drummer Tony McCarroll (later replaced by Alan White).
After five more studio albums and hits including “Stop Crying Your Heart Out” and “Lyla,” friction between the Gallagher brothers led to the band’s breakup in 2009. Liam and the remaining band members carried on as Beady Eye, while Noel branched out with his solo project the High Flying Birds.
Even the possibility of Oasis’s oft-rumored reunion continually stirs excitement among their loyal fans and the industry. While the reign of Oasis was compact, they left a massive legacy rife with rock & roll attitude and timeless songs that resonate beautifully in a small pub or a giant stadium.
Selected discography:
Definitely Maybe (1994) • (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) • “D’Ya Know What I Mean?,” Be Here Now (1997) • “Acquiesce,” “Talk Tonight,” The Masterplan (1998) • “Stop Crying Your Heart Out,” Heathen Chemistry (2002) • “Lyla,” “Guess God Thinks I’m Abel,” Don’t Believe the Truth (2005)
Nominees: Gem Archer, Paul Arthurs, Andy Bell, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Tony McCarroll, Paul McGuigan, Alan White
OZZY OSBOURNE
Ozzy Osbourne is rock’s beloved Prince of Darkness, a key architect of heavy metal, and one of the most successful solo artists of all time. Ozzy’s voice is instantly recognizable – haunting, powerful, raw, sincere – and capable of conveying a wide array of emotions. As a live performer, he is a force of nature, with onstage charisma and showmanship unlike any other. Ozzy brings theatricality to his electrifying performances, captivating audiences with his magnetic energy and rightly earning the title Godfather of Heavy Metal.
First rising to fame as the frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy delivered unforgettable rock classics, including “Paranoid” and “Iron Man.” His contributions were essential to the band’s success, with his distinctive voice synonymous with their sound. After parting ways with Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy formed the Blizzard of Ozz, notably featuring Randy Rhoads, now acknowledged as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Releasing albums that forever changed metal in the 1980s, including Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman, Ozzy became an international superstar, selling seventy million albums and filling 2,600 arenas in concerts around the world.
As a solo artist, Ozzy has continually surrounded himself with incredible musicians and developed young talent, including guitar heroes like Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, and Zakk Wylde. In the 1990s, Ozzy and his wife/manager Sharon Osbourne established Ozzfest, one of the most successful music festivals ever, and in the 2000s, their family became stars on the hit MTV reality show The Osbournes. While now retired from touring, Ozzy remains musically active well into his seventies, still releasing new albums and collaborating with artists, including Eric Clapton, Elton John, Slash, Travis Scott, and Post Malone.
Countless artists from many genres have credited Ozzy as a major influence, including Metallica, Lita Ford, Rage Against the Machine, and Busta Rhymes. With his longevity, impact, and iconic persona, Ozzy Osbourne is a phenomenon unlike any other.
Selected discography:
“Crazy Train,” “Mr. Crowley,” Blizzard of Ozz (1980) • “Over the Mountain,” “Flying High Again,” Diary of a Madman (1981) • “Bark at the Moon,” Bark at the Moon (1983) • “Shot in the Dark,” The Ultimate Sin (1986) • Tribute (1987) • “Miracle Man,” No Rest for the Wicked (1988) • “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” No More Tears (1991) • Down to Earth (2001) • Black Rain (2007) • Ordinary Man (2020) • Patient Number 9 (2022)
Nominee: Ozzy Osbourne
PETER FRAMPTON
Passionate songwriter, exceptional guitarist, and cultural touchstone, Peter Frampton is one of few musicians who can evoke an image of rock & roll stardom with three simple words: “Frampton Comes Alive!”
While growing up in England, Frampton learned the music of American rockers like Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent, and at the age of 16 he joined the band the Herd as their lead guitarist and singer, showing his impressive musical skills while gaining notoriety for his good looks. Two years later, in 1969, Steve Marriott recruited Frampton to join the supergroup Humble Pie, in which he experimented with a blistering mix of blues and jazz guitar styles, achieving massive success in the U.K.
Frampton left Humble Pie in 1971, ready to find his own musical path. His solo debut Wind of Change featured an impressive list of collaborators, including Ringo Starr and Billy Preston. In 1976, he recorded one of the greatest live albums of all time, Frampton Comes Alive! On this seminal album, Frampton is in dialogue with his audience, calling to them, taking them on an emotional ride with his pioneering guitar solos – highlighted by his masterful use of the talk box to create a human/guitar hybrid sound – and making everyone feel part of the musical experience. Hook-filled songs like “Show Me the Way,” “Baby, I Love Your Way,” and “Do You Feel Like We Do” were showcased on the album, becoming enduring rock anthems and reaching the Top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Frampton continues to write and perform, and he has collaborated with rock & roll’s elite, including George Harrison, Harry Nilsson, John Entwistle, Donovan, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ringo Starr, David Bowie, and Dolly Parton. Since publicly sharing his diagnosis of inclusion body myositis in 2019, he has been recognized as a symbol of hope and raising awareness about the degenerative muscle disease. Today, Frampton continues to find new audiences who embrace him and the spell his music has cast over all of us since the 1970s.
Selected discography:
“From the Underworld” (with The Herd) (1967) • “I Don’t Need No Doctor,” Performance Rockin’ the Fillmore (with Humble Pie) (1971) • “Wind of Change,” “Alright,” Wind of Change (1971) • “Lines on My Face,” Frampton’s Camel (1973) • “Show Me the Way,” Frampton (1975) • Frampton Comes Alive! (1976) • I’m in You (1977) • “I Can’t Stand It No More,” Where I Should Be (1979) • “Lying,” Premonition (1986) • “Blowin’ Smoke,” Fingerprints (2006) • “Vaudeville Nana and the Banjoele” (2010) • “The Thrill Is Gone,” All Blues (2019)
Nominee: Peter Frampton
SADE
With a career spanning four decades, Sade have blended jazz, soul, and R&B to create a sound that’s all their own – laid-back rhythms, elegant arrangements, melodic saxophone lines, and, of course, the smooth, sultry, mesmerizing vocals of their lead singer Sade Adu. As the musical landscape around them changed, Sade’s music has endured – their songs of love, life, and loss resonate with listeners on a deeply personal level. Sade’s six studio albums have sold over fifty million copies, earned countless critical accolades, and built an extremely loyal fanbase.
Hailing from London, Sade have retained the same lineup since their formation in 1982 – Sade Adu, the Nigerian-born, Essex-raised singer-songwriter, along with keyboard player Andrew Hale, bass guitarist Paul Spencer Denman, and saxophonist Stuart Matthewman. Their debut album Diamond Life launched the band into the stratosphere, selling ten million copies and earning a Grammy for Best New Artist. The smooth romance of “Your Love Is King” and the soulful groove of “Smooth Operator” were intoxicatingly fresh, sounding like nothing else at the time. Their follow-up Promise displayed Adu’s vocal range and emotional depth with the ultra-smooth “The Sweetest Taboo” and the poetic “Is It a Crime.” Sade’s albums found a home on Black radio, particularly the late-night Quiet Storm format alongside Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross, and Anita Baker. Their subsequent albums forever cemented Sade in the lexicon of love.
To their devoted fans, Sade’s music remains the soundtrack of strength, intimacy, and self-discovery – particularly, Sade’s tales of self-empowerment resonate strongly for women of color around the world. Sade are adored by contemporary artists – both Beyoncé and Drake refer to Adu as their muse, and her influence is visible in the enigmatic aura of Lauryn Hill, the sensual vibes of Maxwell, and the vocal prowess of Adele. Adu is an icon with her blend of sophistication and simplicity, making the band’s music instantly recognizable and timeless. You know a Sade song when you hear it, but you don’t just hear Sade, you feel Sade.
Selected discography:
“Your Love Is King,” “Smooth Operator,” Diamond Life (1984) • “The Sweetest Taboo,” “Is It a Crime,” Promise (1985) • “Love Is Stronger Than Pride,” “Paradise,” Stronger Than Pride (1988) • “No Ordinary Love,” Love Deluxe (1992) • “By Your Side,” Lovers Rock (2000) • “Babyfather,” Soldier of Love (2010)
Nominees: Sade Adu, Paul Spencer Denman, Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman
SINÉAD O’CONNOR
Nothing compares 2 Sinéad O’Connor. The life and art of this Irish singer-songwriter and activist left an indelible mark on the soul of popular music. Musically, she combined stylistic elements from alternative rock, hip-hop, reggae, and electronic pop to punctuate and enhance her sociopolitical messages. With a distinctive multifaceted voice and a striking presence that challenged traditional views of femininity, O’Connor was ahead of her time expressing her unrepentant rage and sorrow over then-taboo subjects like women’s rights, organized religion, child abuse, and oppression.
From the start, O’Connor’s songwriting, production, and performing prowess resulted in her Grammy-nominated debut album The Lion and the Cobra and spawned hits “Mandinka,” “Troy,” and “I Want Your (Hands on Me).” O’Connor’s sophomore album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got became her multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning masterpiece. The video for the Prince-penned “Nothing Compares 2 U” – unforgettable for its simplicity and O’Connor’s breathtaking performance – won multiple MTV Video Music Awards.
The 1992 release of Am I Not Your Girl? was punctuated by O’Connor’s appearance on Saturday Night Live, where she ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II to demand justice for children sexually abused at the hands of Catholic clergy. She was both condemned and celebrated for her protest. O’Connor continued her musical exploration and bold activism for three more decades while bravely and openly enduring physical and mental health issues, turbulent relationships, and personal tragedy. Included in Time magazine’s 2020 list of the most influential women of the past hundred years, O’Connor was named a “prescient messenger” for calling out the Catholic Church nine years before their admission of guilt.
Upon her untimely passing in 2023, O’Connor was remembered as “fierce,” “brilliant,” “honest,” “vulnerable,” “rebellious, and “unapologetic” by fans around the world and the generations of musicians she influenced and inspired, including Alanis Morissette, Massive Attack, Janelle Monae, and boygenius.
Selected discography:
The Lion and the Cobra (1987) • I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (1990) • “You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart,” In the Name of the Father soundtrack (1993) • “Fire on Babylon,” Universal Mother (1994) • “No Man’s Woman,” Faith and Courage (2000) • “Downpressor Man,” Throw Down Your Arms (2005) • “How About I Be Me,” I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss (2014) • “Trouble of the World” (2020)
Nominee: Sinéad O’Connor