The 15 finalists for 2016’s Rock’n’Roll hall of fame class have been announced, with a stellar list of nominees including The Smiths, Nine Inch Nails, Janet Jackson, and hip hop pioneers N.W.A among others.
Having appeared on the ballot four times already, many people have wondered how the legendary group has yet to ascend to the ranks of those honoured by the rock hall. Last year saw a litany of praise for the group, as well as a growing movement to get them into the hall – not to mention retrospective disbelief at the subsequent failure of their nomination.
Alongside N.W.A, nominees The Smiths have also missed out on the hall despite previous nominations, sparking sharp debate about the influence of these two bands and what they have to do to be recognised by their peers and rock critics.
A decade ago, some may have argued that hip hop artists perhaps had no place in an institution dedicated to rock ‘n roll, but we of course know that’s not true in the least. With Beastie Boys, Grandmaster Flash, and Run DMC already representing our favourite genre, it has become increasingly noticeable that one of hip hop’s most important, influential groups are still getting the door slammed in their face.
Surely, the success and massive media spotlight placed on the group thanks to the massively successful biopic Straight Outta Compton, the international momentum will reinvigorate and encourage audiences and successfully placed N.W.A in the public consciousness, enough so, that surely they will finally be inducted into the hall of fame.
There is a fan ballot component to this year’s hall, so let’s make sure we all do our part and express ourselves, and express our disbelief that these legendary artists have yet to be recognised by the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame as easily some of the most important musicians of all time.
The full list of nominees are:
The Cars
Chic
Chicago
Cheap Trick
Deep Purple
Janet Jackson
The J.B’a
Chaka Khan
Los Lobos
Steve Miller
Nine Inch Nails
N.W.A
The Smiths
The Spinners
Yes