Getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is not a problem for Jay-Z even though he might have other problems plaguing him.
History was made by the Brooklyn-born rapper who had changed the game with his hits as “Big Pimpin’”, “Hard Knock Life”, as the first living solo rapper to be inducted into the rock hall when the class of 2021 was announced in the morning of Monday.
Jay-Z is the third solo rapper to join the exclusive club of music after getting in on his first year of eligibility- which is 25 years after the debut record of an artist- after following posthumous inductions for Tupac Shakur (2017) and the Notorious B.I.G. (2020).
A diverse group of acts being immortalized in the RRHOF is led by HOVA which includes Tina Turner, Foo Fighters, the Go-Go’s, Carole King, and Todd Rundgren.
Foo Fighters, like Jay-Z, made the cut in their first year of eligibility. It is Dave Grohl’s second induction, who had already booked his seat in the rock hall with Nirvana.
Now, King and Turner are also two-time inductees: Turner- in 1991, Turner has previously enshrined 30 years ago as one half of Ike and Tina Turner- is now getting the love which he deserved as a solo turner. After her classic 1971 album “Tapestry”, King, meanwhile, who was inducted as a songwriter in 1990, is being recognized as a performer for 50 years.
OTHER INDUCTEES OF ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME
DARKSIDE (US FUEL PIPELINE HACKERS) CLARIFIES THEIR ACTION
It is a little surprising that the ‘80s girl group the Go-Go’s made it on their first nomination, while it is hard to argue with Jay-Z, Turner, Foo Fighter, and King getting a place in the rock hall. Keeping in consideration that singer Chaka Khan was nominated for the sixth time when her third solo nod, in addition to three with Rufus featuring Chaka Khan.
The musical excellence award will be received additionally by Billy Preston, LL Cool J, and Randy Rhoads. The Early Influence Award will be received by Gil Scott Heron, Kraftwerk, and Charley Patton. The Ahmet Ertegun Award will be received by Sussex Record Founder Clarence Avant.
At Cleveland, on October 30th, the induction ceremony of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be held. At a later date, it will be broadcasted on HBO Max and streamed on HBO Max.
TOM CRUISE RETURNS GLOBES TROPHIES
Chairman John Sykes, who is also the IHeartMedia’s President of Entertainment Enterprises, said that this was their diverse class in the history of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He said that it really represented the ongoing commitment of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to honor the artists that have created not only rock and roll but also the sound of youth culture.
Sykes said that it was very difficult to get inducted twice and they have three this year. It was also a rare year where three of the six inductees were women: Carole, Tina, and the Go-Gos. It just showed the continued relevance and power and recognition of women in music.
The pandemic forced organizers, last year, to scramble and hold a virtual event on HBO in November. Mini-documentaries honoring the inductees replaced live performances for the first time in the Hall of Fame history. Sykes said that it was very well-received by viewers. He thinks that the audience will see a great live event and maybe a hybrid show on HBO that will be a combination of some of these documentary-style pieces and live music that really told the story of the inductees.
The live event of induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will hopefully feature performances by every inductee that is present even though Turner lives in Switzerland and since the end of her 2009 world tour, she has not performed. Sykes said that they would be so honored and proud to have her attend. It just depended on how she felt and whether she wanted to fly to America. If she could, it would be quite a moment. He promised the audience that if she cannot make the trip, there will be an incredible tribute paid to her by a group of artists.