The controversy surrounding the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced the artists who will be part of its 2023 class of inductees and the statement has drawn significant controversy — as it usually does among music lovers.

A wider range of musical genres have been inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year, with the announcement sparking intense debate on social media.

Netizens heatedly discuss prominent artists who have been left out of the great honor but deserved an induction, and whether the American music hall of fame should continue to be called ‘Rock & Roll’.

The 2023 class of inductees

Newcomers to The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame performers category are Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, and The Spinners.

Meanwhile, DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray will be the winners of the Musical Influence Award, while Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, and Bernie Taupin have been selected to receive the Award for Musical Excellence.

The 2023 Ahmet Ertegun Award winner is Don Cornelius, a television producer and host known for being the creator of ‘Soul Train’.

What is the big debate about?

Upon the first announcement of shortlisted nominees, social networks began to engage in the classic annual debate. There are many who remembered great artists and musical groups that have not yet been chosen to enter the Hall of Fame as Jethro Tull, Iron Maiden, Joy Division, and Warren Zevon, among many others.

There are also many people who criticize that it is still called ‘Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame’ when rock n’ roll music less and less representation.

Further, most of the nominees and entertainers who will enter this year are not rock n’ roll artists at all.

As a result, several people on Twitter are embracing the concept and recommending the legendary institute to be rather the ‘Music Hall Of Fame’.

What are the awards for?

Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees are selected because they have “created music whose originality, impact and influence has changed the course of rock & roll,” according to the organization.

The Music Influence Award is given to “artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired and evolved rock & roll and music that has an impact on youth culture,” while the Music Excellence Award is given “to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music has had a dramatic impact on music.”

The Ahmet Ertegun Award is given to “non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock & roll and music that has impacted youth culture.”