In case you didn’t know, recently The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame released its 2024 nominees to be inducted this year. The list included: Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Eric B. & Rakim, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Jane’s Addiction, Kool & The Gang, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinead O’Connor, Ozzy Osbourne, Sade, and A Tribe Called Quest. While this is an extensive, and frankly accomplished, list, only five groups get nominated. So, I’m going to give you my predictions for who I think will get voted in, as well as my opinion on who I would vote in.
Right now, the fan vote stands as Ozzy, Foreigner, Frampton, Dave Matthews, Cher, Lenny Kravitz, and Mariah Carey. Now the fan votes only count for one vote for each of the top 7 artists, the same as those who are in the Rock Hall or on the voting committee. So, one would begin to think why do these votes matter? Well, in his “Sound Up” podcast writer and Rock Hall committee member Alan Light explained that often those members voting will often take inspiration from the fan vote and let that influence their voting decisions. This was especially discussed in regard to Oasis being on the ballot this year as most of those who have voting abilities are American artists and might not have experienced Oasis the same way those in the UK did. Therefore, they are relying on the fan vote to provide some credibility for their case of inclusion.
Personally, I don’t think the fan vote will do much and I think that the committee and past inductees will end up selecting Ozzy, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Cher, Sinead O’Connor, Lenny Kravitz, and Kool & the Gang. If you’re a fan of my articles, you know that I have already named my defense for why Ozzy should be in the Rock Hall, but for those of you who have not, Mr. Osbourne has had an extensive solo rock career working with very talented live musicians and many other accolades. Frampton and Foreigner have had extensive careers as classic rock staples and are my second favorites for getting voted in by the committee this year. My next pick from the committee is Cher, purely because of the longevity of her career and the many successes she has had. Also, Sonny and Cher have not been inducted so there won’t be the caveat among the voters that she may not warrant being in there twice. Then rounding off the list I think tragically of course Sinead O’Connor will make it in because of her influence in global activism, and tragically because of her recent passing. Lenny Kravitz will get in because of his recent album announcement being on the mind of voters, and lastly Kool & the Gang because of their influence on the recording of Hip Hop and the Rock Hall’s desire to diversify the genres of their artists. Rightfully so, a black art form can’t keep being represented by white classic rock guys.
To round us off here with who I would choose if I was the committee, are Ozzy, Foreigner, and Frampton, because it would heal the hole left by them inducting Kate Bush because of Stranger Things. Then Cher, Lenny Kravitz, and Oasis because I’m on the bandwagon with the Brits that if they got back together, they would be the biggest band in the world. And finally, my only rap pick, because whether the old heads like it or not, that's the new reality of the Rock Hall, is A Tribe Called Quest because I think they were visionaries and made some of the most well-made and influential rap music of the 90s.
To voice your own opinion, click here: https://vote.rockhall.com/
