Eminem, A Tribe Called Quest, Lionel Ritchie Amongst 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees

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Hip-hop pioneers and an R&B legend are among the nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 2022
class.

The class, announced Wednesday, features 17 contenders and is led by former rap oddity turned mainstream monster Eminem — the only artist to make the ballot in his first year of eligibility in this class.

Over his 30-plus year career the Detroit native, born Marshall Mathers, has sold over 220 million records, collected 15 Grammys and notched 2002’s Academy Award for Best Original Song for his song "Lose Yourself," off the “8 Mile” soundtrack — a semiautobiographical movie he also starred in.

Joining Eminem in the running for a spot in the hall are fellow hip-hop heavyweights A Tribe Called Quest and soulful singer-songwriter Lionel Ritchie — whose former band the Commodores has yet to be nominated.

“This year’s ballot recognizes a diverse group of incredible artists, each who has had a profound impact on the sound of youth culture,” Rock Hall chairman John Sykes said in a statement. “Their music not only moved generations, but also influenced the sound of countless artists that followed.”

The class also includes standouts from several other genres of music. Country music powerhouse Dolly Parton, new wave legends Duran Duran, 1970s singer-songwriter Carly Simon and ‘90s indie-rock darling Beck round out the first-timers vying for their place in the hall.

Pat Benatar, Devo, the New York Dolls, singer-songwriter Kate Bush, Judas Priest and the Eurythmics, who have all been nominated twice previously, are also back in the running.

More than 1,000 artists, music historians and music industry professionals vote on the nominees, the foundation said, taking into account an artist or group's influence on other musicians, their body of work and "length and depth of career."

This year's inductees will be announced in May with an induction ceremony to follow in the fall. Starting today, fans can vote at 

rockhall.com or at an interactive kiosk at the Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland.

Full list of 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees:

Beck*

Pat Benatar

Kate Bush

DEVO

Duran Duran*

Eminem*

Eurythmics

Judas Priest

Fela Kuti

MC5

New York Dolls

Dolly Parton*

Rage Against the Machine

Lionel Richie*

Carly Simon*

A Tribe Called Quest*

Dionne Warwick  

*first-time nominees