Eminem may end up in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after all–contrary to his “Rap God” prediction.
The Detroit MC, who famously rapped that “[the] Only Hall of Fame I’ll be inducted in is the alcohol of fame on the wall of shame” in his hit 2013 single, is a standout artist among the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees.
But the other 16 musicians aren’t lacking in star power or musical influence. The varied list includes Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Beck, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, Dionne Warwick, Eurythmics, A Tribe Called Quest, Kate Bush, Devo, Judas Priest, Fela Kuti, MC5, New York Dolls and Rage Against the Machine.
Eligibility rules require an artist to have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. Em is the only first-time eligible nominee, having released his debut album Infinite in 1996. Warwick, Rage, New York Dolls, Kuti, Devo and Bush are all repeat nominees from last year.
More than 1,000 artists, music historians, and notable members of the music industry make up an international voting body that selected this year’s nominees.
Before the 2022 Rock & Roll HOF class is announced in May, the public can participate in a “fan vote” at vote.rockhall.com. The top five highest-polling artists there will be featured on a “fans ballot” to be tallied during the induction process.
As USA Today notes, many of these artists’ outputs are prolific and ongoing. Eminem will join Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar in performing at the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show in LA’s SoFi Stadium (not far from the Maxim Big Game Weekend festivities).
Duran Duran celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2021 with the release of the British pop group’s 15th album Future Past, while Parton’s Run, Rose, Run book and accompanying album are due out in March.
