The one key factor to enter the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: 2025 nominations are announced
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame reveals its 2025 nominees, featuring first-time contenders and returning favorites all with key timing on their side.


The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has just dropped its 2025 nominee list, and it’s a mix of fresh faces and familiar names vying for one of music’s most prestigious honors. From legendary rockers to groundbreaking hip-hop acts, this year’s lineup is as diverse as it is iconic. And there’s plenty of rather fiery debate over it.
Who has been nominated for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025?
This year’s ballot features eight first-time nominees, rock’s Bad Company and the Black Crowes, pop-punk pioneer Billy Idol, and Latin stars Maná. Hip-hop duo OutKast as well as Phish also make their debut on the list, alongside the legendary Chubby Checker, who’s finally getting his due after decades of eligibility.
Returning to the ballot are powerhouses like Mariah Carey, whose 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 speak for themselves, and British rockers Oasis, who’ve been nominated multiple times but have yet to secure their spot. Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, the White Stripes, and Soundgarden round out the list of returning contenders, each bringing their own unique legacy to the table.
Congratulations to the #RockHall2025 Nominees! Cast your ballot in the Fan Vote, sponsored by @AlliantCU: https://t.co/keewGnGnnD 🎉 pic.twitter.com/Z7JUwdHz3l
— Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (@rockhall) February 12, 2025
The Rock & Roll 25-year road to induction
So, how does an artist make it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? The first hurdle is eligibility: artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to nomination. This rule ensures that only those with a proven track record of influence and longevity are considered.
Once eligible, nominees are selected by a committee of music historians, industry professionals, and artists – including every living Rock Hall inductee. From there, ballots are sent to over 1,000 voters, who choose the five to seven artists they believe most deserve induction. Fans also get a say through the Fan Vote, which counts as one ballot in the final tally.
At its core, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame isn’t just about hits or album sales – it’s about impact. Whether it’s Chubby Checker revolutionizing dance culture with “The Twist,” OutKast redefining hip-hop, or Mariah Carey dominating the charts for decades, the Hall of Fame aims to celebrate artists who’ve left an indelible mark on music and culture.
When is the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony?
The 2025 inductees will be announced in late April, with the induction ceremony set to take place in the fall in Los Angeles. Until then, fans can cast their votes online to help their favorites secure a spot in music history.
Next year’s list could involve the likes of Alicia Keys, The Streets or The Strokes and thereafter in 2027 we’ll be looking out for potential places for Avril Lavigne, Beyoncé, Kanye West and many more. Here’s a full rundown of artists who will meet the 25-year rule of inclusion over the coming years.
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