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Refer to it as the Woke & Rock Hall of Fame.
This year’s first-time nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — music’s most exclusive club — include a black female rapper, a gay male pop heartthrob, and a ’80s legend renowned for human rights as well as creative excellence.
Missy Elliott, George Michael, and Cyndi Lauper were among the 14 acts named to the 2023 rock hall class shortlist on Wednesday morning. And none of them represent the white male establishment of so-called “classic” rock musicians who have historically ruled the institution.
But, in all honesty, the RRHOF is running out of elderly guys to enshrine.
Whether it’s in their hearts or not — let’s hope it is — they must go beyond the conventional rock artists from the ’60s and ’70s from which the organization was founded.
Sheryl Crow, who has been eligible since 2019, is also a first-time nominee. Kate Bush, A Tribe Called Quest, and Rage Against the Machine are repeat nominees.
And following Dolly Parton’s admission in 2022 — after she initially withdrew because she felt she wasn’t “rock” enough — country superstar Willie Nelson will be nominated for the first time at around 90 years old.
Other first-time nominees, such as the White Stripes, Warren Zevon, and the new-wave fusion of Joy Division and New Order, feel more like usual suspects, but there has been a substantial movement in the rock hall.
They inducted Parton, Eminem, and Lionel Richie into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, none of whom could “rock” their way out of a paper bag. Jay-Z, Whitney Houston, the Notorious B.I.G., and Janet Jackson all joined the rock-hall nation before him.
And this year, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Spinners, one of the smoothest 1970s soul vocal groups, alongside rock titans Iron Maiden and Soundgarden.
The inductees, for which fans can vote at vote.rockhall.com, will be announced in May. Here’s hope that more inclusivity and diversity will be reflected.