Hip Hop Hall of Fame Induction Criteria

Currently, there is no official criteria for getting inducted into the Hip Hop Hall of Fame. So far, most of those honored have rightly been the pioneers of hip hop, but as we move forward, what should the qualifications entail?

VH1 Hip Hop Honors aspires to "celebrate the players who broke new ground and pioneered the genre into a true cultural phenomenon." VH1 has included all aspects of hip hop culture including music, films, graffiti artists, and breakdancers, but it's unclear how the honorees are a chosen. It seems that the executive producers of the tv show are the ones that make the selections. For 2008, the executive producer is Lee Rolontz for VH1 and Jac Benson for blacjac Entertainment Group (formerly a producer on Yo! MTV Raps), and Nelson George and Fab 5 Freddy are co-executive producers.

For another reference, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame requires a 25 years since the first record was released before the artist becomes eligible for induction. Beyond that, their stated criteria is: "Criteria include the influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll." They do not consider sales figures as part of the criteria, since there is not always a correlation between popularity, influence, and innovation.

And how should the inductees be chosen? The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame also uses a special Nominating Committee to select the artists who get nominated for induction each year. The nominees are then sent to 500 music critics and past inductees to be voted on. The general public has no say in who gets in each year. Should the people have a voice in the Hip Hop Hall of Fame?

So, what should the criteria be for getting into the Hall of Fame? Should there be a waiting period? How long? How limited should the definition of Hip Hop be in terms of inducting artists? What about R&B or rockers who rap? Should movies be included? Who should be the ultimate judge?

Let your ideas be heard below:

Current Comments

41 comments so far (post your own)

Thanks for this opportunity, it always feels good to be appreciated for Artistic Works, I have been a musician since 5 years old, I improvised my first song at 7 years old, although my mother later Banded it my being sung in her home, it gave me my foundation for song creations in 1986-87, My musical background is in Choral Music, I still create and perform Choral, RnB, Classical, Rock/Rock n Roll, Baroque, EDM, Rap/HipHop Today.
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Posted by Charles Fox on Saturday, 07.30.22 @ 04:23am


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Posted by Rap365 on Wednesday, 04.10.13 @ 15:11pm


Some how...hip hop needs to recognize these old school artists who opened up all the doors for this new hip hop generation...I mean when I Go to a Show and see somebody like Grandmaster Caz or Kool Moe DEE Or Kool KEith or RED Alert or standing on back of the line but some new rapper or dj walkin straight past line and inside ...thats ridiculous....Wish I could make some type of hiphop legend championship ring or id card so that these old school male and female hip hop legends can be recognized by alllllllllllllllll these new artists who dont even know who paved the way

Posted by kevin thornton on Tuesday, 02.12.13 @ 23:55pm


First off...Before i get to the rap aspect of it all....lets talk hip hop .....Kool Keith of the legendary ultramagnetic mcs was one of the best pop lockers in ny..The legendary Shack crew dancers were well known..I remember Keith practicing in living room with other legendary electric boogie dancers loose Bruce and Supreme..This included dancin in the movie Moscow On The Hudson starring Robin Williams and dancin ON national tv for Ronald Reagan at the Presidential convention...That was hip hop...I saw him weekend after weekend dance alongside rock steady and many other dance groups back in the day....Now comes the rap side of Kool Keith...As the group Ultramagnetics #1 mc ..Keiths style was unique out the gate...the group held their own at all the hot spots in new york and overseas on the same stage with all the hottest rappers and rap groups back in the day... Ask any Dj in ny..ask any old school rapper or rap group about Kool Keith or Ultra..

Posted by kevin thornton on Tuesday, 02.12.13 @ 23:44pm


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From the 80s to mid 90s there are still a HUGE number of ARTists that should be inducted before so many. I can definitely agree about the comment "why Missy was chosen before Queen Latifah I'll never know," but my main focus is on a group that to this day is still one of THE MOST influential groups of its time and artists still use their sound, style, and hooks today, even us members on their albums to spark a good sound. I'm talking about one of the greatest all around HIP HOP groups of all time and that is BONE THUGS ~N~ HARMONY!!! They have been overlooked for WAY too long and it's time they all 5 get recognized especially since they've been together and on the scene for 20 years! Much respect to all hip hop ARTists but don't forget to include the 5 thugs from Cleveland that are Krayzie, Layzie, Bizzy, Wish, & Flesh. Not to be overlooked as well on of the sickest beat makers of all time and that is DJ UNEEK. ~BTNH~

Posted by Andy on Monday, 12.31.12 @ 15:05pm


I think there should be a 10 year wlimit from when they first debut wether it was underground or as a guest artist ie pac on digital underground and i may get hated on but as much as i dislike vanilla ice he absolutely should get in he was a pioneer for white rappers and cyprus hill as pioneers for latino rap but when it comes to all artst first thing othor than the 10 ye from there debut should be the message and poetry behind there music

Posted by junior s on Saturday, 03.31.12 @ 17:45pm


Rap should have a thing like the ROck n roll hall of fame.. What's wrong wit people. They're singers 2, give them credit. I'd like to see you people come up with a rap

Posted by Ray on Wednesday, 11.2.11 @ 13:48pm


I think that it should be 10yrs after the artist put's down the mic. Regarding the criteria, record sales, what they did to change hip hop, their movement, length of time in hip hop, their character.

Posted by David on Wednesday, 10.12.11 @ 05:15am



Hi, I am working on documentary titled "WEST COAST POPPERS" and a featured subject is Don Campbell/Campbellock (Founder of Street Dance- Locking) and he was inducted in 99' along with Rock Steady Crew, etc.

The purpose of this message is to request snippet copy of footage thay shows Don Campbell recieving award.
Please let me know what channels I need to follow for this to happen.
Thank you,
Jerry
WWW.WESTCOASTPOPPERS.COM

Posted by Jerry Sanchez on Sunday, 10.9.11 @ 20:59pm


man em, big l, jadakiss, 50 cent, jay-z, next big star is gonna be my man j cole, but all these kats should be inducted

Posted by j-stylez on Sunday, 08.14.11 @ 11:47am


The West Coast Hip-Hop Pioneers Rodney O & DJ Joe Cooley A.K.A "Tha King of Scratch " are not on the list. Come on ppl . U Don't Hear Me Tho!

Posted by Blacc Velvet on Tuesday, 04.12.11 @ 17:54pm


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Pump Up the Volume

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 03.16.11 @ 08:47am


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Posted by Choppie on Wednesday, 07.7.10 @ 11:36am


I think last nite show was a total disrepect to Scarface and the Geto Boys, and OutKast. These artist should hsve there place in HHH before Wu-Tang, or Missy Elliot. And if you were honoring the south, where is 8-ball MJG, Tela, and 3-6 Mafia. so where do they go from here. Personally if i was Face or OutKast, i would not want them to honor me ever.

Posted by Gee on Tuesday, 06.8.10 @ 14:41pm


Why is Outkast not apart of the 2010 hip honors. My Opinion Outkast is one of the founders for ATL for hip hop. Maybe next year

Posted by Nick on Monday, 06.7.10 @ 19:29pm


I think gangstar and mr.magics rap attack should be in the hhh. Originators in the game R.I.P Mr.Magic.

Posted by Shawayze Davis on Tuesday, 03.16.10 @ 08:06am


This is our art! We have always rebeled against the normality in our own culture and music, yet, we embace it as a great friend and utilize its tools. We have kindly, and respectively scratch & mixXxed others records to create new symphonics. We have studdied others dance steps, transmuted them, added
our own secondary ability and skill, then created a new art from what we had learned. Our minds have created exquisite poetry, the finest words ever to be placed in such a grand order. Our spray cans have created masterful works that may have made Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564, Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet) cream in his pants, wherever he stands. There is NO doubt that a Hip-Hop Hall of fame should be created. NONE

Inducing an artist... Anyone and everyone should be able to be induced into this hall. There are so many arts and abilities related to this topic, the possibilities are vast and relative. Perhapse a ballot box could be placed at the entrance, a vote could be cast from the ticket holders who have purchased one to get inside. Every name is considered. Every album is heard. Every art, ability, concept, dance, and skill is carefully screened for an opportunity to enter this Hall of Fame. Most entries will be silly notions of hope, some will be researched and wow many audiences, and some entries may be seen over and over and over to no avail or interest.
The final decision is simple, whoever has the most money at stake (invested into the musiem) makes the "business" decision to put a new artist into this Hall of Fame.
This is and will forever be a historic and fantastic moment; to see these amazing minds, bodies, souls, abilities, and talents get the Honor they deserve. Damn Fine!

Posted by CTuc01 on Friday, 12.18.09 @ 22:05pm


I THINK THAT SUPERWOLF AND THE RAP-O-MATICS SHOULD BE INDUCTED IN THE HIP HOP HALL OF FAME TAKE A LOOK AT OUR BIO AT (http://www.myspace.com/therapomatics)WE WERE PRODUCED BY DENISE LASALLE AND WILLIAM C BROWN III KEYBOARD COLLABORATION WAS DONE BY MARK BYNUM OF THE BARKAYS, WE OPEN SHOWS FOR LAKESIDE,THE LATE RODGER TROUTMAN AND TYRONE DAVIS AND JAY BLACKFOOT,THE NAME OF OUR TITLE TRACK IS (HOOKED ON THE RAP) IT'S ABOUT THREE GUYS WHO'S LIFE WERE HEADED DOWN THE WRONG ROAD OF LIFE A PIMP A HUSTLER AND A DRUG DEALER, IT WAS TIME TO GET (HOOKED ON THE RAP)ABOUT THE POSITIVE THINGS IN LIFE,THIS RAP SONG WAS VERY EDUCATIONAL TO YOUTH DURING THE TIME OF IT'S RELEASED.WE GOT A LOT OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK ALSO DURING THIS ALBUM RELEASE IN 1983 IT LANDED US ON A TV INTERVIEW ON ABC WBBJ TV IN JACKSON TN AND A SPECIAL GUEST SPOT ON THE WINK MARTINDAL CELEBRAL PALSEY TELETHON TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING US GETTING INDUCTED IN THE HIP HOP HALL OF FAME THANKS CEDRIC L DODD

Posted by CEDRIC DODD on Friday, 12.4.09 @ 10:43am


This might be a turn around but i think the rocksteady crew should be in the honors. back in the 1980s the dominated crews with their smooth transitions and their amazing moves. they even have a song in their honor "Hey You The Rocksteady Crew" they are legendary not to only New York but to all of the B-boys and B-Girls.

Posted by DRO>DOLLAZ on Wednesday, 11.4.09 @ 06:59am


Kool G Rap and Dj Polo, Eric B and Rakim, Pete Rock and C.L Smooth, & DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince should be honored the main reason is that these M.Cs had Djs to promote while they was getting big for their lyrics the djs always on their side coming up with a hot beat these groups was the work horses in the game and get mad respect for pleasing our ears.

Posted by DRO>DOLLAZ on Wednesday, 11.4.09 @ 06:47am


I personally think the geto boys should be in the hip-hop hall of fame... because they basically was the first southern rap group they was one of the pioneers of hip-hop music throughout the south...and their music is still played!!!

Posted by DRO>DOLLAZ on Wednesday, 11.4.09 @ 06:07am


why hasn't anybody realized the omission of the dj's....red alert and mr. magic(r.i.p), epmd(made gold records with limited radio play), the fat boys(1st crossover group),beat street and krush groove(real hip hop movies)especially beat street i grew up in the south bronx and that was as real as u could get....is everyone on vh1 an idiot?....what about VIDEO MUSIC BOX....25 years of kickin the real for people with no cable...and its host vj ralph mcdaniels......i don't understand how these "producers"are this stupid...if your really going to honor hip hop you have to start at the beginning and work your way forward....whats the lineup for next year hammmer, vanilla ice, milli vanilli, and ric suave? ...really what the hell is wrong with you people!

Posted by joey on Saturday, 10.10.09 @ 17:07pm


The God Rakim ...after you induct all that made a significance before him...

Peace

Posted by Kryst Allah on Wednesday, 09.23.09 @ 13:17pm


I think Pete Rock & CL Smooth should also be considered for HHH....

Posted by JC on Friday, 09.18.09 @ 00:36am


I think Blondie should be honored at some time she had the first rap song by a female to hit the top 5 on the charts in the us with Rapture, and she did that in 1980 and being white

Posted by Me Against The World on Thursday, 05.14.09 @ 03:40am


EPMD should be honored. If a lil rock kid asked me - what is hip hop ? I'd probably say Hip Hop is EPMD. Just go and listen to their sound.

Posted by Baron C on Saturday, 02.7.09 @ 06:25am


There should definitely be a 1st record released timeframe set so the pioneers are up for nomimation first. I love Missy but Latifah should have been up first and other artists like Kurtis Blow, Fab Five Freddy, Kool Moe D, Sparky D, Spoony G, and should have been honored first!

but I digress...

Once there is a eligibility timeframe set then have past honorees, industry execs, and critics come up with a group of nominees divided up by category. Then let the people vote online on who gets honored.

I think it would work

Posted by jay on Thursday, 02.5.09 @ 04:27am


I'mma put it to ya like this. Ya have Real School. Then ya have Fool School. 86 the old school and new school. Cuzz to tell it. Much of the game today is polluted.A whole lotta Rah, Rah with no substance. Alotta hooks'. Real school are the mc's, groups', and so forth that have been innovative. Fool school are the sucka's nowadays' that say two seconds' of rhymes'. Then let the hook make 'em. I may piss some people off. I am not saying at this point in time. In the future, when it comes to 50 Cent. Here you have a guy who attacks' mc's for usin a certain formula of rhyme. Then once he gets' people to turn on the other mc's. He releases' songs' of similar nature. That he was dissin brotha man fo'. There needs' to be analysis of longevity, potency of rhyme and vocal styling, social influence,artistry. Do not make it mainstream. That is what is wrong with with the Hip Pop culture nowadays'. Cuzz in this day and age anybody can be Hip Pop. The suburban white kid is Hip Pop. I'm like the Game. Bring back rap music. The music of struggle and buckin the system. Flippin' off Uncle Sam, Paintin the White House black, 2 Live Crew gettin arrested. Bring back REAL SCHOOL AND REAL MC'S. NOT THIS CORPORATE BACKED, CROSSIN OVER TO MAINSTREAM. IN REAL RAP MUSIC CROSSIN OVER IS PUNISHABLE BY EXILE.

Posted by jaydafunkyone26 on Tuesday, 10.21.08 @ 11:26am


Kool Moe Dee (threacherous three) should be up there for sure

Posted by Steve on Monday, 10.20.08 @ 03:34am


there are definiterly artist that deserve to be in the Hip Hop Hall of Fame. Also on the 50 greatest MCs. How come Kool G Rap didn't make the list? (and probably never will)What about Grand Puba? Ultra Magnetic? Just-Ice? I could go on...

Posted by RAAJI ROCK (WELL) on Thursday, 10.16.08 @ 14:52pm


After looking at the list of the top 50 hip hop artists,I also feel Gang Starr, MC Hammer, Master P deserve a nod at Hip Hop Honors. All 3 have extensive catalogs, have been in the game for some time and have gravelly made an impact on hip hop. Other groups are 3rd Bass and Nice N Smooth who I am undecided on. Fugees made an impact, but they don't have a catalog unless you do the Fugees, Wyclef, Lauren Hill and Pras as seperate intities.

Posted by Kevin on Sunday, 10.12.08 @ 20:40pm


While looking at the previous Hip Hop Honors, I have come to the conclusion about how the honorees are picked: many of them were in the game for awhile. They have made an impact on hip hop, have had several hits and are now either retired or touring doing material that made them legends. After I saw the last HHH, I started thinking about several artist that deserve the honor such as Biz Markie, EMPD, Heavy D and the boyz, Fat Boys, Kool Moe Dee, Dr. Dre, the movie Krush Groove, tribute to Rick James and/or James Brown, Kurtis Blow, Marley Marl (Juice Crew) and Diddy. Others that I thought of were Eminem, Jay Z, Nas, Outkast, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, Common and Busta Rhymes. Yes these are very well deserving artists, but like I said earlier a lot of the previous honorees aren't putting out any new material. So that does question EPMD. They are one of the all time hip hop duos, up there with Run DMC, but at the present time they have a CD coming out in October. So I guess that eliminates them for the time being. Just like Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. Well deserving hip hop group, but Will Smith is too big to come to the HHH. So that's my take coming from an old school hip hop head.

Posted by Kevin on Sunday, 10.12.08 @ 20:27pm


You might have to come with a criteria at some point once all the real hip hop cats are in the hall of fame because a lot of what we have today is garbage you have rappers getting credit for being the best rapper today which is crazy best rappers to me spittin today is the lox hands down jay z, nas, ransom just to name a few its been a lot of one hit wonders created the past few years I give it up to two or maybe three of them cats in the south the rest lyrically is ass

Posted by dre on Saturday, 10.11.08 @ 23:17pm


I defintely agree with you about the missy elliot thing. No way she should have got in before alot of people like jay-z, nas,queen latifah, heaavy d and the boyz Dr. Dre, scarface, outkast, must I go on! and you are also right they should cut down the number of honerees or make the show longer! good comment on ya behalf!

Posted by Dion Brown on Saturday, 10.11.08 @ 02:00am


The Pioneers should all be honored before anybody else (1980s-1995). Why Missy Elliott was honored before Queen Latifah, I'll never know. Missy is awesome in her own right, but it is not her time. There were plenty of women that contributed to rap in some why. You should have at least 1 female honoree each year.

Including films, graffiti artists, and breakdancers and even fashion would be a wonderful touch to each show, something that reflects the era.

I don't know why you've missed some great people so far; Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie, Boogie Down Production, Heavy D and the Boys, just to name a few. All the people that came prior to 1999 should not be honored no matter how great their music has been or how popular they are. They still have a long way to go in my opinion as being considered honorable.

If you needed to make the shows stretch then cut down your number of honorees and give more details and biographical performances to honor each person. Using dance and that particular person/groups music, the clothing from their time period, a history of what was going on in the world at that time. At the end have the honoree's perform some of their songs and you could easily have a 1.5 to 2 hr long show that was informational and entertaining for the ones who were there and the youngsters who weren't.

Posted by Denise on Wednesday, 10.8.08 @ 14:25pm


Fat Boys Forever!

Posted by George on Wednesday, 08.13.08 @ 19:59pm


The fifth annual VH1 Hip-Hop Honors will be taped on October 2nd at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. The show will premiere on VH1 the following Tuesday, October 7th. The honorees and performers will be named later this summer.

Posted by FHHH on Thursday, 07.3.08 @ 07:49am


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