A Massive Day for R&B: New Edition, Luther Vandross Earn First Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominations

A collage of artists nominated for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, including several legends of hip-hop and R&B. Pictured among this year's nominees are first-time contenders the Wu-Tang Clan (top row, second from left), Lauryn Hill (second row, left), New Edition (second row, third from left), and the late Luther Vandross (bottom row, right), alongside returning nominee Mariah Carey (bottom row, second from left). (Photo courtesy of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame officially unveiled its 17 performer nominees for the Class of 2026 on Wednesday, delivering a ballot heavily stacked with the architects of 90s hip-hop and the golden era of R&B.

This year's list marks a significant moment for the culture, with the Wu-Tang Clan, Ms. Lauryn Hill, New Edition and the late Luther Vandross all appearing on the ballot for the very first time. They join returning powerhouse nominees Mariah Carey, who is making her third appearance on the ballot, and Sade, who returns for a second time.

The inclusion of the Wu-Tang Clan and Lauryn Hill underscores the Hall's ongoing effort to recognize hip-hop's foundational impact. The Wu-Tang Clan have been hailed as rap innovators since changing the landscape of East Coast rap with their game-changing 1993 debut album, "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)". Hill's solo masterpiece, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," made history in 1999 as the first hip-hop album to win the Grammy for album of the year.

Meanwhile, the nomination of Boston-bred pioneers New Edition honors a legacy that essentially created the blueprint for the modern R&B boy band. The group — consisting of Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill — dominated the charts with classics like "Candy Girl" and "Cool It Now." The nod comes just months after their hometown of Boston officially renamed a Roxbury street "New Edition Way" in their honor.

Vandross, the undisputed king of romantic R&B who sold more than 25 million albums and delivered hits like "Here and Now" before his death in 2005, also earned a long-overdue first nomination.

"This diverse list of talented nominees recognizes the ever-evolving faces and sounds of Rock & Roll and its continued impact on youth culture," John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said in a statement on Wednesday.

To capture the full scope of the 2026 class, the ballot also features a wide array of pop, rock, and metal legends. The remaining nominees vying for induction include Phil Collins, INXS, Iron Maiden, Shakira, Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, P!nk, The Black Crowes, Oasis, Joy Division/New Order, and Billy Idol. Of that group, Collins, Shakira, P!nk, Etheridge, INXS, and the late Buckley are also making their first appearance as nominees on the ballot.

The official Class of 2026 will be determined by an international voting body of over 1,200 artists, historians, and industry professionals, as well as a fan vote that is currently open on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website. The final inductees will be announced in April, with the induction ceremony scheduled for this fall.