2021 Rock Hall Noms, Ranked
The Joke in Cleveland tries to reckon with their narrow-minded past
How often do you think about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
As someone who spends a lot of my day listening to and reading about music, I can say not often. The annual announcement of candidates is the only time I think about it.
Like many music fans, I give the nominee list a scan, and my mind immediately flips to “how the hell isn’t X still in this thing?”. As long as Warren Zevon, Joy Division & New Order, Kraftwerk, and prog legends like Yes are ignored, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will remain a Boomer fantasyland of corporate music history.
“Rock & Roll” is also a limited name for a music museum. Since its initial class, the Hall has acknowledged “early influencers” that pre-dated rock and roll, but its recognition of POC and female performers has been lacking.
When the Hall’s doors opened, industry gatekeepers considered hip hop to be a fad.
Hip hop officially took over as the country’s most popular genre in 2017 and has continued to set a buffer over rock in the last five years. The Hall has only recognized six hip hop groups artists: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, N.W.A and Tupac Shakur.
Outside of these groups, it has continued to ignore the roots of hip hop, and an “early influencer” placement is the least they could do for DJ Kool Herc. How is Pac in but no Biggie? Also, how can you induct jazz musicians but leave out folks like John Coltrane? It’s insane.
Women have also had a rough go with the Hall, especially solo acts. There has been some recognition of this in the last few years with Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks (also inducted with Fleetwood Mac), Janet Jackson, Nina Simone, Joan Baez, and Joan Jett finding their way into the boys club.
This year, the first since Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner stepped down as CEO, the Hall is continuing to recognize women, but so many of them are long overdue.
For those unfamiliar with the process (I have to remind myself every year, so no hard feelings), an artist is eligible 25 years after their first release, followed by a fan vote. Then after 1,000 industry curmudgeons cast their vote, five inductees will be chosen. The average wait after eligibility is 14 years, which is pretty notable since the Country Hall wait average is three years.
Let’s take a look at the 2021 list and figure out who truly belongs.
#16 LL Cool J
Before LL was on 400 seasons of NCIS: Los Angeles, he was on MTV Unplugged with his deodorant pits.
Is he a 2021 inductee? I understand LL’s importance in the early 90s, but like Jay-Z, others deserve to be there first. With the Hall’s debate on hip hop, I don’t think someone like LL will make it. He’s just not strong enough past his first few albums.
#15 Foo Fighters
I think the first three Foo Fighters albums are some of the best of the 90s (There’s Nothing Left to Lose is criminally underrated), and those records hold a special place in my heart.
I can’t say the same for their last 15 years or so, a continuous feed of formulaic stadium rock written to jack up a football team before the game. They’re still a touring powerhouse and released their 10th album last week, which has generally received positive reviews, but I had to force myself to get through the whole thing. I’ll watch a new interview from Dave Grohl and Co., but it’s just not where I’m at these days.
I’d rather see a Sunny Day Real Estate reunion.
Are they a 2021 inductee? They shouldn’t be, but they usually perform at the induction ceremony every year, and I can see the suits falling for them. I do think they deserve it down the road, but a first-year win would be insulting for so many other bands.
#14 Rage Against the Machine
The nomination of Paul Ryan’s favorite band, Rage Against the Machine, makes me feel old like the Foos. Their self-titled debut was a smash, but it was Evil Empire that led to the t-shirt every kid was wearing while doing kickflips in the commons.
They were trailblazers in the rap-rock genre and are probably among the most important bands of the 90s, but their sound is too monotonous.
Are they 2021 inductees? No way, and the best part of RATM is they don’t care. Their anti-capitalist and anti-authoritarian views are everything an “institution” like the Hall hates.
#13 Dionne Warwick
Another artist that isn’t necessarily “rock and roll,” Dionne Warwick is an icon with a career spanning over 50 years. Her accolades include six Grammys, and she has had 56(!) singles chart on the Hot 100.
She’s recently been better known for her Twitter antics:
Is she a 2021 inductee? This year is her first nomination, even though she has been eligible since 1989. If the Hall is to be expanding their genres and focusing on bringing more women into the club, Warwick may have a good chance of striking “beginners” luck.
#12 Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan was previously nominated to the Hall as a member of Rufus. Her funk and disco hits have led to two platinum albums and four gold singles.
Is she a 2021 inductee? Probably not, and I’m not sure she has the accolades to get in.
#11 Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden is probably too campy for the Hall's upturned noses, but they were one of the most successful touring metal bands of the 80s. With 16 albums, they’ve played well over 2,000 shows and are loved all over the globe.
Are they a 2021 inductee? The Maiden has been eligible for 17 years, but I still don’t see them getting in this year. The Hall notoriously hates metal bands (they inducted Metallica as a “is everyone happy now?'‘ vote), and I’d rather still see Motörhead, Judas Priest, and Thin Lizzy in there first.
#10 Mary J. Blige
Known as the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul,” Mary J. Blige has released 13 albums, sold 50 million records in the US, won 9 Grammys, and her debut, What’s the 411, is consistently ranked amongst the best albums of all time. She’s influenced so many current hitmakers, including Beyoncé, and Adele. Blige has been eligible since 2018, but this is her first nomination.
Is she a 2021 inductee? No. She probably deserves a place down the line if the genres are more fluid, but with the current voting committee, I don’t see it.
#9 Jay-Z
Hova has eleven number one albums and dominated two decades of hip hop. He’s won 22 Grammys and sold over 50 million albums. Jay-Z’s later career has focused on running a sports agency and working with the NFL on their entertainment offerings (I enjoyed The Weeknd’s halftime show, my scientific Instagram poll says my readers did not).
Is he a 2021 inductee? No, because the Hall will have another worthless hip hop debate. I also think many other rappers should be in before him, but Jay-Z unquestionably deserves a spot someday.
#8 Devo
Devo is on the “how the hell?” list. Everyone knows “Whip It,” but new wave and alternative music wouldn’t exist without them. Formed by the Mothersbaugh and Casale brothers in 1973, their use of electronic instruments in pop music was ahead of its time like previously mentioned Kraftwerk. They were also considered pioneers in music video innovation.
Plus, they also gave us “Theme From Doctor Detroit.”
Are they a 2021 inductee? I think they should be, but their eligibility since 2003 makes it seem as though they might not ever make it.
#7 Kate Bush
The current state of art-rock and indie, would be nowhere without Kate Bush. Her 1978 debut single “Wuthering Heights” was the first time a female artist topped the UK charts with a self-written song. While never as commercially successful in the US, Bush has had a career full of hits. Her contribution in choreography and music tech cannot be overstated, with Bush being the first person to come up with a microphone headset, something that every dancing pop star now uses. Those influenced by her include Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bat For Lashes, Tori Amos, k.d. lang, and Regina Spektor. You may also recognize her work on Peter Gabriel’s “Games Without Frontiers.”
Is she a 2021 inductee? No. Kate Bush continues to be considered too “avant-garde” for the Hall but should be in there as she is a real genre trailblazer.
#6 New York Dolls
When everyone was writing long prog pieces in the 70s, the New York Dolls wrote fast-paced three-minute bangers and was one of punk’s founders. Without them, there are no Ramones. Unfortunately, they only had two albums in their prime and haven’t received the recognition they deserve.
Are they 2021 inductees? First eligible in 1999 and nominated in 2001, the Dolls are selected for the first time since. I don’t think they’ll make it this year as the voters continue to disrespect them.
#5 The Go-Go’s
The Go-Go’s were the first all-female group to write a number one album with “We’ve Got the Beat,” which is reason enough to have them in the Hall. The LA punks endured so much sexism throughout their career, including being spit on by white nationalists while touring England. After not being able to secure a record deal, Miles Copeland, manager of The Police, had The Go-Go’s open for Sting and the boys on the massive Ghost in the Machine Tour, and the rest is history.
Are they a 2021 inductee? I hope so. There was nothing else like them at the time, and their influence was monumental for artists like Madonna, Hole, The Breeders, and Best Coast.
#4 Fela Kuti
As the “Godfather of Afropop,” Fela Kuti brought African funk to the entire world. Worshipped by Bowie and Brian Eno, Kuti was a voice for the oppressed, and released over 25 albums and toured constantly.
I also highly recommend Legacy, the new album by Fela’s son Femi and grandson Made, released last week. It carries the spirit of Fela while bringing new elements to the table.
Is he a 2021 inductee? No, and unfortunately, probably never will be due to the Hall’s bias against world music. I really hope so though - Fela is a legend and the music world would not be the same without his tireless work.
#3 Carole King
Carole King has already been inducted as a songwriter with Gerry Goffin, rightfully so. She’s responsible for “Take Good Care of My Baby” by Bobby Vee, “Chains” by The Beatles, “The Loco-Motion” by Little Eva, “Up on the Roof” by The Drifters, “I’m Into Something Good” by Herman’s Hermits, and my personal favorite “Porpoise Song” by The Monkees.
King’s influence is still felt today. Titanic Rising by Weyes Blood was my favorite album of 2019 and is very much Tapestry for the 21st century.
Is she a 2021 inductee? She deserves to be, and Tapestry celebrated its 50th anniversary this week, which should propel her into the Hall.
#2 Tina Turner
Already inducted with ex-husband Ike Turner, this is the first year Tina Turner has been nominated, and dammit, it took long enough.
Turner is one of the great comeback stories in music history after breaking free of her abusive husband and deserves her solo spot in the Hall given that she’s more known for her solo era at this point. Private Dancer was one of the biggest albums of the 80s, and Turner is definitely at icon status.
Is she a 2021 inductee? The nomination should be a layup for someone to get an induction on their first year of eligibility. I think the Hall views it as a Lifetime Achievement type award and has taken a ton of criticism over the years for not having her.
Plus, she’s “simply the best.”
#1 Todd Rundgren
Though not familiar with “kids these days,” Todd Rundgren is probably the biggest slap in the face to not be in the Hall already. They’ve been uncomfortable with “glam” performers in the past, but T.Rex’s recent induction should help Rundgren.
“Hello, It’s Me,” “Can We Still Be Friends,” and “I Saw The Light” are some of my all-time favorites (thanks, parents), but Rundgren has had such an incredible career outside of these singles. His producing credits include New York Dolls, Badfinger, Grand Funk Railroad, Meatloaf, Bad Religion, and XTC, often finishing songs for the bands without taking writing credits. Rundgren also designed the first color drawing pad he leased to Apple and has been a pioneer in electronics.
Is he a 2021 inductee? Having been eligible since 1996 and nominated for the last three years, Rundgren should finally be recognized.
As Todd Rundgren author Paul Meyers put it:
Who do you think should be the five artists to make it this year? Who’s missing from the Hall and should we even care? Let me know in the comments. ✌️🕶️
"Boomer Fantasyland" is gonna be my next band name
A surprising list! Never would have thought these people/groups would have not been in the Hall!