Three of the most iconic women in music history are officially in the running for one of the industry’s highest honors. Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, and Sade have all been nominated for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, joining a powerhouse list of 17 performer nominees that spans hip-hop, R&B, metal, pop, and beyond. The announcement, made on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, signals what many are calling a landmark moment for female representation in rock history.
The full list of nominees also includes Phil Collins, INXS, Iron Maiden, Luther Vandross, Shakira, Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition, Wu-Tang Clan, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, The Black Crowes, and Oasis — a diverse collection that reflects how far the Hall’s definition of “rock and roll” has come.
Mariah Carey and Lauryn Hill Lead a Wave of First-Time Nominees
Ten of this year’s 17 nominees are appearing on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ballot for the very first time, and two of the most celebrated names on that list are women. Lauryn Hill, whose landmark album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill made history in 1999 as the first hip-hop album to win Grammy Album of the Year, earns her first-ever nomination. Mariah Carey, on the other hand, has been in the running before — she was also nominated in 2024 and 2025 — but her persistence on the ballot only underscores how overdue her potential induction may be.
Carey’s credentials speak for themselves. With 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, she holds one of the most remarkable chart records in pop history. Hill, meanwhile, is widely recognized as one of the most gifted lyricists and vocalists of her generation, with an influence that continues to ripple through today’s artists. Together, their nominations add serious weight to an already stacked ballot.
The other first-time nominees joining them are Jeff Buckley, Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, Luther Vandross, and the Wu-Tang Clan. It is a remarkable debut class that covers multiple decades and genres, further proving just how broad the Rock Hall’s reach has become.
Sade Returns to the Ballot Alongside Rock and Metal Icons
Sade is no stranger to the nomination process, and her return to the 2026 ballot is welcomed by fans around the world who feel her soft rock and soul-infused sound more than qualifies her for induction. Known for beloved classics like “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo,” Sade brought a rare elegance and emotional depth to mainstream music throughout the 1980s and beyond. Her nomination feels long overdue to many in the industry.
Returning alongside her are Billy Idol and Joy Division/New Order, both of whom fell short of induction last year. Additionally, two famously feuding brother bands — The Black Crowes and Oasis — are back on the ballot following recent reunions, adding a layer of rock drama and nostalgia to the proceedings. Iron Maiden also returns, representing the new wave of British heavy metal with foundational albums like The Number of the Beast.
The diversity of styles among this year’s nominees is striking. From Sade’s silky R&B to Iron Maiden’s hard-driving metal, the 2026 ballot makes a strong case that rock and roll has never been just one thing — and that its Hall of Fame should reflect that truth.
Wu-Tang Clan and New Edition Bring Hip-Hop and R&B to the Forefront
Hip-hop and R&B are strongly represented in this year’s nominations, with the Wu-Tang Clan and New Edition both earning their first-ever spots on the ballot. The Wu-Tang Clan, who released their groundbreaking debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in 1993, are widely celebrated as pioneers who reshaped what hip-hop could sound like, feel like, and mean. Their inclusion in the Rock Hall conversation is a testament to just how deeply they changed American music.
New Edition, the group behind hits like “Cool It Now” and “Candy Girl,” helped define a generation of R&B in the 1980s and laid the groundwork for groups that followed in their footsteps. Their nomination is a nod to a legacy that has been celebrated for decades, and for many fans, their place in the Hall of Fame is long overdue.
Also among the nominees is Shakira, whose ability to blend Latin rhythms with pop and rock helped her cross over to global audiences in a way few artists ever manage. Taken together, these nominations reflect a conscious effort to honor music that shaped culture far beyond the traditional boundaries of rock.
The Road to Induction: What Happens Next
Following the announcement of nominees, the final selections for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be made by a voting body of more than 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals. To be eligible in the first place, an artist must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years ago — a rule that ensures only acts with true staying power make it to the ballot.
The class of 2026 will be officially announced in April, and the reveal will also include honorees in three special categories: Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award. These categories often honor behind-the-scenes legends whose contributions to the industry are just as significant as any chart-topper.
As Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation chairman John Sykes noted following the announcement, “This diverse list of talented nominees recognizes the ever-evolving faces and sounds of Rock & Roll and its continued impact on youth culture.” For fans of Mariah, Lauryn, Sade, and so many others on this year’s ballot, the wait until April will be a long one.
A Legacy Worth Celebrating: Honoring Artists Who Changed Music Forever
Two of this year’s nominees will never be able to accept an induction in person, but their legacies are no less deserving of recognition. Luther Vandross, who passed away in 2005, sold more than 25 million albums over his career and recorded timeless hits like “Here and Now” and “Any Love.” Jeff Buckley, whose debut album Grace remains one of the most critically revered records ever made, died in 1997, but his influence on musicians continues to grow with every passing year.
Phil Collins, who rounds out this year’s first-time nominees, brings his own extraordinary track record to the table. A two-time Grammy winner for solo work — including Album of the Year in 1985 for No Jacket Required — Collins also played a defining role in the success of Genesis. His classics like “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night” have become cultural touchstones recognized across generations.
Ultimately, the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations tell the story of a music world far richer, more diverse, and more powerful than any single genre could contain. Whether or not each of these artists makes it into the Hall this year, their nominations are a reminder that the music they made mattered — and continues to matter — deeply.