Who’s up for induction in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2026? Pink, Mariah Carey, Shakira, Billy Idol and more

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced 17 nominees for 2026, including Shakira, Pink, Lauryn Hill and Buckley

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its 17 nominees for the 2026 class, showcasing a genre-spanning roster that reflects pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop and crossover influences. The list includes Shakira, Pink, Lauryn Hill, Jeff Buckley, Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Mariah Carey, The Black Crowes, Melissa Etheridge, INXS, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, New Edition, Oasis, Sade, and Wu-Tang Clan.

Ten of these artists are first-time nominees, including Buckley, Collins, Etheridge, Hill, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan. Returning nominees making another bid include the Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, and Sade. Notably, Pink is eligible for the Hall for the first time, having debuted in 2000 with her album ‘Can’t Take Me Home’.

While some fans may note a relative recency bias, most first-time nominees launched their careers in the 1980s, 1990s, or 2000, others are likely to applaud the diversity. Only about half the nominees fall strictly within rock, while the rest span pop, Latin crossover, R&B, and hip-hop. Phil Collins is already an inductee with Genesis, and Jeff Buckley is among the rare artists considered with just one album, his 1994 release ‘Grace,’ before his untimely death in 1997.

The voting will take place over the next two months by the Hall’s 1,200 voters, with the results announced in April. Additional inductees may be named through special committees for Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award. This year’s nominees reflect the Hall’s ongoing mission to honour both iconic rock acts and influential artists across multiple genres.