News of October 18, 2016
On the First Ballot: Tupac Nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
An artist can enter the Hall of Fame 25 years after their first record. In 2016, Tupac was on the ballot for the first time-and faced pushback from Chuck D.
To be eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an artist must have released their first recording at least 25 years earlier. For Tupac Shakur and Pearl Jam, that qualifying threshold fell squarely in 1991. Both were in their first year of eligibility when the nominees for the class of 2017 were announced on October 18, 2016.
Alongside Joan Baez and Kraftwerk
Other first-time nominated acts included Bad Brains, Jane’s Addiction, Depeche Mode, Electric Light Orchestra, Joan Baez, Journey, and Steppenwolf. Billboard called Tupac a “gangsta rap godhead.” Returning to the ballot were, among others, Chaka Khan, Chic, Janet Jackson, Kraftwerk, MC5, and Yes. The Guardian and Vibe reported as well.
Objection from Chuck D
The vote was cast by an international body of more than 800 artists, historians, and music industry professionals. Before the inductees were scheduled to be finalized in December, criticism emerged from within the hip-hop scene itself. On October 20, Chuck D wrote on Twitter that he had love for “Pac” forever, but that no solo rapper should be inducted before LL Cool J.
Who made the cut in the end: Induction in December.