After a lot of thinking, I put together a short list of 80s/90s rappers and groups that I feel could plausibly make it into the Rock Hall. Aside from the ones I listed, I don't see anyone else from the golden age squeezing in there (sorry Nas), unless it's a side category free-for-all type thing:

1. Eric B. and Rakim- Already been nominated once but never again, so I'd assume that they're a given that will be either early influence or musical excellence in a few years.

2. A Tribe Called Quest- Maybe one or two more shots on the ballot and then they'll have to just back door them in, which is a shame because if they wait a few years I could see them drumming up some excitement.

3. De La Soul- Once tribe is in, I have a feeling this incredible group will get a shot on the ballot, especially with super fan Questlove on the nominating committee. R.I.P. Dave.

4. Outkast- What is the hold up here? I feel like they'll waltz in with one ballot, easily, especially if they could potentially reunite.

5. Snoop Dogg- It's a given. The fact that he got in the Songwriter Hall of Fame before the Rock Hall was surprising to me, it really should have signaled them to make it happen already. Plus he inducted 2pac back in 2017.

6. Salt n Pepa- I feel like there's been a lot of discourse around this trio, and they certainly deserve it, I just wonder when it'll happen. They've been consistently touring and popular with the 40-60 demographic that the Rock Hall aims for, so I'd say within the next ten years, and maybe even closer to five.

7. Wu-Tang Clan- Cultural ubiquity is the key factor here. Not only are my parents aware of the Wu's existence, even my grandmother is well aware of them. I could see them easily getting in on one or two ballots, especially considering how well 36 Chambers and the major solo projects placed on the Rolling Stone top 500 albums list.

8. Queen Latifah- This one i'm on the fence about. I personally love the queen's output, and if it were up to me just about every member of the native tongues would be in the hall already, but I wonder if her acting career has overshadowed her music to the point that people barely recognize her as a musician anymore (which they absolutely should not, but alas, I'm just telling it how it is). Think about someone like Cher, whose immense star power and success outside of music has almost made her seem too big for the Rock Hall in some respects, hence why she's never even been nominated. Not a one-for-one comparison, but you get my drift.

9. Ice Cube- Yeah, he's already in with N.W.A., but I think that his solo run makes him more than worthy of induction. If he made the ballot, I could easily see him getting in, same with…

10. Dr. Dre- Two of the most legendary solo albums of all time, as well as his status of putting on Snoop, Eminem, 50 Cent, and so many more, and the whole beats thing on top of that. I think he's a shoo-in for double induction, whether it's for musical excellence or as a performer, because if he were on a ballot he'd get in based on his industry cred alone.

11. Ice-T- Similar to Queen Latifah, I don't know if his acting career has overshadowed his music career. I can't remember the last time he toured, and I literally just saw him in an ad for Honey Nut Cheerios this evening. You could argue that Cube did the same thing, but at least he has four classic albums. As much as I love Ice-T's discography and feel that it should be talked about more, he only has one real definitive classic. Still, the whole Tipper Gore/Body Count thing scores him big Rock and Roll points, but we need to sway the masses. We need to remind the world how dope of an MC Ice-T was. Also, side note, he already got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. No real correlation, just saying.

12. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince- Very very similar situation to Ice-T. One definitive classic album overshadowed by a long and prosperous acting career. I think Will Smith's fame could get him in, and I'd love to see Jazzy Jeff get some respect for being the pioneering DJ he is. Who knows, maybe name recognition will come through and in 2040 will see a class with DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince and, I don't know, like, Lady Gaga or something.

MUSICAL EXCELLENCE

13. Boogie Down Productions/KRS-One- I really hope that the Rock Hall are tuned in enough to recognize the importance of the blast master KRS. So many albums that are fundamental to hip-hop. No shot on the ballot, so I hope that they just bypass the whole Eric. B and Rakim thing and put BDP right in through the back door.

14. The Roots- You've got to get Questlove in somehow. But in all seriousness, the legendary Roots Crew do deserve Rock Hall recognition in my opinion. They used to be one of the coolest bands out there, putting out music that pushed the limits of Hip-hop across three decades. Then they became Fallon's house band and suddenly it was not cool to like the Roots anymore. That odd detour aside, the roots have so many classic albums and Black Thought is one of the most respected and revered MC's of all time, thanks to his longevity and innovations. Again, no chance on the ballot, but damnit put them in. Their placement on the top 500 albums list is also very promising. R.I.P. Malik B.

15. DJ Premier/Gang Starr- I don't know how they'll choose to do this. I know for a fact that Preemo NEEDS to get into the hall, and as a huge Gang Starr fan, I'd love for Guru (R.I.P.) to get his props as well. Maybe this is wishful thinking, but who knows, dreams sometimes come true with the Rock Hall.

NON-PERFORMER/PRODUCERS?

The hall really doesn't put in enough producers, but I feel like these few are inevitable. Maybe we'll see a day where a Pete Rock or a Prince Paul could sneak in a side category, but for now, these are the only ones I see being on the Hall's radar:

16. Rick Rubin- How is he not in?

17. Pharrell/Neptunes- With Pharrell's status in the hall and the industry in general, I'd hope that he would be part of the decision to rightfully include Chad Hugo in the honor.

18. Timbaland- Inevitable. Surprised it happened after Missy, but that just means it's definitely going to happen sooner rather than later. While we're at it, put Giorgio Moroder in.

19. Diddy- Boring choice, but yeah, it'll probably happen.

20. J Dilla- fingers crossed that Questlove has enough influence to pull some strings and make this happen.

And yeah, that's that. Pretty depressingly short list. Don't ask me about the 2000s yet, if he haven't even finished inducting 90s rock bands then we certainly won't be moving to any 2000s Hip hop anytime soon. I would say all 20 artists I listed have at least a 50% chance of getting in the hall. Thanks for reading!

Posted by Tyler on Friday, 05.12.23 @ 00:37am