We’re now onto the 3rd part of my series on the future of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Thank you to everyone that has read the series thus far and I hope you are enjoying this look at future inductees that should be on the Hall’s radar. With that, let’s get to the third entry where I’ll be discussing rap music.
Rap music, in the long run, has proven to be the dominant genre of popular music from 2000 and beyond. While other genres are still successful and popular, rap music has become what rock music was for the last half of the 20th century. Thus, it only makes sense for future classes to be centered around inductees of the rap genre. Rap has it’s worthwhile beginnings in the 1980’s, thus the rap backlog is only growing. Over the next 5-7 years, some of rap’s most iconic acts will become eligible for the Hall, thus it’s gonna be harder for lesser known, but influential and pioneering acts of the genre, to get their due. There is still a heavy bias towards rap from the mostly white, male, Baby-Boom-centric Voting Committee who still foolishly believe rap is a fad or is not as relevant. That’s simply because they don’t understand it, as it’s music that does not speak to them. Much like how rock music didn’t speak to their parents and grandparents. But I digress. Like it or not, rap is going to become the centerpiece of the Hall’s classes within the next decade, at least if the Hall wants to continue to be relevant to modern, younger music fans.
The backlog for rap artists has grown substantially over the last 5-6 years, as some of the greatest artists that debuted in the late 80’s/early 90’s have come forth as eligible artists. In order for rap to be fully represented, each class has needed at least one inductee, if not two. Unfortunately, that has not happened, as it took the Beastie Boys and N.W.A multiple nominations to be inducted, while important acts like Afrika Bambaataa, Eric B. and Rakim, and especially L.L. Cool J have missed out on the votes to receive induction. Thus, that hurt the Hall from moving to other late 80’s and early 90’s acts worthy of induction. And with some of the biggest names in the history of rap music and modern music in general becoming eligible in the next few years and becoming likely instantaneous inductees, the situation does not bode well for the artists with lesser name value, but equally important to the genre to get their due from the Hall. Because of this situation, I am increasing my amount of inductees for this category, because there’s just too many big names to consider. This genre has more worthy newly eligible artists than any so I will continue down the path of having the Hall shoot for older important artists at the same time as the big name newly eligible artists. Let’s get to it. Here is how the Hall can best address rap music over the next 15 years….
2020/21/22
LL Cool J:
The next three years are going to be among the most difficult for the genre as each year has 1 artist becoming eligible that is among the most iconic acts in music history. 2020 has the Notorious B.I.G., 2021 has Jay-Z, and 2022 has Eminem. All three acts are important enough to the genre, and big enough names for older voters not as familiar with rap music, to be nominated and inducted immediately. Especially Jay-Z and Eminem. Thus, it is very likely that each year is gonna have one big name rap act in the class of inductees. Because of that, it makes sense for the Hall to focus on another older act that has been passed over previously at the same time. That act being L.L. Cool J. LL remains the most important act of 80’s hip hop that has not yet been inducted (along with Eric B. and Rakim). He also has the name value to break through to the voters in theory. So far that has proven to not be the case, but if the Hall continues to bring younger voters, as well as more female and black voters on the Voting Committee, eventually LL will have to break through. LL is too important to the genre to be forgotten and passed over. I think the Hall should continue to try with him until he gets inducted. Thus far, each class has only had one rap act inducted per year. If there was ever a time where rap could break through and have two inductees in the same class, then this 3-year period is the perfect time. Jay-Z and Eminem especially are so huge they would easily get in. There’s this stigma that voters will only vote for one rap act, which may be true. But Jay-Z and Eminem would absolutely shatter that stigma. If you put a lesser name, but someone big enough like LL on the ballot with either one of those two, then I think you’re likely to have two rap inductees in one year. Each year has a big enough name to get one surefire inductee. I think LL is a big enough name that he also could break through during one of these three years. Heck, the Hall could try it this year with Biggie and LL, and if it works, then they could try the same format in 2021 and 2022. It might work. But we’re not gonna go that far in this timeline. I’m going to give the Hall 3 years to get LL in. That should suffice.
The Notorious B.I.G. (newly eligible for the 2020 class):
The Notorious B.I.G. will become eligible this year and is one of the favorites to appear on the ballot for the 2020 class. And with good reason. Biggie Smalls (as he’s known as) is considered by many rap fans to be the greatest rap artist of all-time. Despite his brief career, he was massively influential on 90’s rap and beyond and was a major part of the revitalization of East-Coast rap in the mid 90’s. He’s the yang to Tupac Shakur’s ying, and you can’t tell the story of 90’s rap without both. Beings Tupac was inducted immediately upon his becoming eligible, Biggie will likely do the same.
Jay-Z (newly eligible for the 2021 class):
For the 2000’s and 2010’s there is probably no rap artist that is more famous worldwide than Jay-Z. Jay-Z was considered by many to be the heir apparent to the Notorious B.I.G. upon his death in 1997, and that theory proved to be prophetic. Jay-Z would go onto have arguably the longest run of great albums and hit singles of any artist in the history of the genre. Few artists have the longevity of Jay-Z, and his power in the music industry has only grown as he’s in many ways become the Oprah of rap music. A corporate juggernaut that has only brought legitimacy to the world of hip-hop when it comes to the business world. Jay-Z is probably the most well-known rap artist in the world, and he’s not just an overhyped celebrity. He’s got the run of classic albums and songs to back up his reputation as one of the greatest. It’s a foregone conclusion that Jay-Z will be inducted immediately and will likely headline the 2021 class.
Eminem (newly eligible for the 2022 class):
If there’s one artist that can rival Jay-Z in general celebrity and iconic stature, it’s Eminem. Though Eminem hasn’t become near the business juggernaut that Jay-Z is, he’s still equally as famous and legendary and also has had longevity and consistency on his side. Eminem created three back to back classic albums with 1999’s The Slim Shady LP, 2000’s The Marshall Mathers LP, and 2002’s The Eminem Show, as well as 8 Mile film and soundtrack, which proved to be one of the most successful hip-hop centric films in Hollywood history. In the early 00’s, Eminem was maybe the biggest artist in the world. He had a bit of a slump in the late 2000’s due to drug issues, but he bounced back in the 2010’s and has had another run of great albums and songs, and has proven to be one of the most enduring artists in the rap genre. He’s another sure-fire first ballot HOF artist, so like Jay-Z, Eminem should be a shoo-in to headline the 2022 class.
2023/24/25
Eric B. and Rakim:
This next 3-year period also features HOF-level rap acts becoming newly eligible; however, I don’t think any of them are first ballot HOF’ers big enough to make older acts have to continue to wait. I think during this period, the Hall can go back to focusing on older acts and trying with them and wait a bit on the newly eligible acts. Thus, that brings us to Eric B. and Rakim. In theory, LL has already been inducted so that leaves room for the next important act of 80’s rap, that being the duo of Eric B. and Rakim. The group were major innovators that elevated the artistic level of rap music and are such an influential and innovative group, they must be considered for the Hall. Like many 80’s rap acts, their career only lasted about 5-7 years, so they don’t quite have the longevity of many later rap acts, but their influence and level of innovation was immense, and they are such an important part of the genre, that they deserve induction. I think the pecking order for 80’s rap begins with L.L. Cool J, then the Hall should move to Eric B. and Rakim.
Dr. Dre:
Many in the Rock Hall Watcher community view Dr. Dre as being worthy of a second induction in a Non-Performer category, due to his production work for many artists. Similar to Todd Rundgren. I strongly disagree with that notion, however. To me, people that have that viewpoint either simply forget, or aren’t aware of how big Dr. Dre was for rap music in the 90’s as a performer, not just behind the scenes. The Chronic is one of the most important albums in the history of rap music, as it single handedly brought gangsta rap to the mainstream (as legendary as N.W.A is today, people forget they were rarely played on MTV or the radio during their time), and came to dominate the rap scene in the early 90’s and the rest of the decade for that matter. And he didn’t stop there, as his contributions to the Friday soundtrack was massively successful, as was his 1999 album 2001. Dr. Dre played a major role in the mainstream acceptance of gangster rap, and he’s one of the defining figures of 90’s rap. I think if he wasn’t part of N.W.A., he’d already be in the HOF by now. His induction would also make him the first rap artist to join the “Clyde McPhatter Club” (artists inducted more than once in the HOF).
2026/27/28
A Tribe Called Quest:
There’s not any major first-ballot worthy rap artists becoming eligible during this period either, so I think it is fine for the Hall to focus on another late 80’s/early 90’s act as well as one of the biggest rap groups of the 2000’s. Chronologically speaking, it probably makes more sense for the Hall to push for De La Soul over A Tribe Called Quest, but I don’t think De La Soul has the longevity and consistency of A Tribe Called Quest. I also don’t believe De La Soul is as good as A Tribe Called Quest, simple as that. A Tribe Called Quest were pioneers of the alternative-hip-hop genre and proved to be the most enduring of all the groups of that genre. By this point, the Hall would heavy representation of gangsta rap (N.W.A., Tupac, Biggie, and Dr. Dre) as well as old school rap (Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Eric B. and Rakim), while also breaking through to superstar 2000’s acts (Jay-Z and Eminem), but there wouldn’t be really any representation of the more socially conscious, alternative hip-hop style. A Tribe Called Quest is a good an artist as any to start the representation for that genre and style of rap music.
OutKast:
Then you get to the next evolution of more artistically unique and sophisticated rap with the duo of OutKast who not only had the underground credentials as being of the most unique and expressive acts in rap during the 90’s, but who also became huge superstars in the early 00’s. OutKast is another act that shouldn’t take too long to be inducted once they get on the ballot. In addition, they are the obvious first choice to represent Southern, Atlanta-based hip hop. During this 3-year period, the Hall can break through to alternative and more artistically great rap music with inductions for A Tribe Called Quest and OutKast.
2029/30/31
Kanye West (newly eligible for 2029 class):
Now we get to an artist that becomes newly eligible and must be inducted immediately. Kanye West. For all the hate he gets for his controversial public persona, anyone that understands music and rap culture understands how groundbreaking, innovative, successful, and brilliant Kanye’s career has been. Kanye has been the greatest innovator of rap music during the 2000’s and 2010’s. He brought forth the sampling technique/style of using older obscure soul songs and taking the vocals to higher pitches (the chipmunk effect), a sampling technique that became a hallmark of 2000’s hip-hop. Once that became the norm he switched directions and pioneered auto-tune and electronic elements with rap music, which paved the way for the style of 2010’s hip hop. Kanye, more than any other rap artist, has used unconventional styles of music for a rap artist, sampling artists and genres like progressive rock, baroque pop, electronica music, world music, and just about anything else you can think of. Kanye also helped change the emotional palette of rap music lyrically, by moving away from the gangster lifestyle and macho attitude prevalent in rap lyrics from the beginning of the genre and moving instead towards more emotionally vulnerable and raw subjects such as depression, heartbreak, paranoia, hopelessness, and egotism. In my mind, Kanye has had the greatest run of albums in the history of rap music (The College Dropout to The Life of Pablo). He’s undoubtedly a first ballot HOF artist. Thus, it should be no surprise for the Hall to induct him right away.
Salt N’ Pepa:
Kanye is a shoo-in for induction, so the Hall should be able to focus on inducting two older artists (by this point in time) without Kanye getting in the way. For 80’s rap, it makes sense next for the Hall to focus on Salt N’ Pepa, who were the most successful female rappers for much of the 80’s and 90’s. Salt N’ Pepa were true trailblazers, as there was no genre in the music business in the 80’s and 90’s that was more misogynistic and unwelcome to female artists than rap music. While female artists in the genre today are breaking barriers, it’s a lot easier for a female artist to be successful in the rap genre now than it was in the 80’s and early 90’s when Salt N’ Pepa was at their peak. And the group deserves credit for almost single-handedly kicking down the door for female rap artists to break through to the mainstream and enjoy massive success. Classic songs like “Push It,” “Let’s Talk About Sex,” “Shoop,” and “None of Your Business,” were important songs that brought a female perspective to the genre and hip-hop culture at a time when those viewpoints were discarded and not taken seriously. Like many artists of the 80’s and early 90’s their peak run lasted about 7-8 years and wasn’t as long as later artists, but the impact they left was immense, and they are truly a hallmark group for late 80’s and early 90’s rap. They deserve to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as feminist pioneers of rap and music as a whole.
The Wu-Tang Clan:
Continuing the pattern of previous years where the Hall focuses on an 80’s/early 90’s centric rap group and a pure 90’s group, we now get to the Wu-Tang Clan, another one of the most groundbreaking and influential groups of 90’s rap. The Wu-Tang Clan were pioneers in that they also brought different subjects to rap, particularly elements of nerd culture like kung-fu movies, comic books, B-horror movies; while at the same time pioneering hardcore rap and, in the process, helping to revitalize East Coast rap. The Wu Tang Clan were also among the first rap artists/groups to connect with the worlds of video games, Eastern mythology, and the previously mentioned kung-fu film industry. The group spawned numerous solo stars including Method Man, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Raekwon, RZA, and Ghostface Killah, whom all had their own personalities and rap style. You can’t fully represent 90’s rap, especially East Coast rap without having the Wu Tang Clan in the HOF.
2032/33/34
Missy Elliott:
Missy is one of the great innovators of rap music as she and Timbaland formed one of the most influential production teams of rap and R&B music during the 90’s and 00’s. Her futuristic style was unique and produced tons of hits and classic songs in the process. Few artists in the genre during the 00’s was as groundbreaking and innovative as Missy Elliott. She is also maybe the greatest music video artist of any rap artist ever (either her or Busta Rhymes) as many of her music videos are among the greatest works of art in the medium. Missy today is the biggest selling female rap artist of all-time and became the first female rap artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Missy is a feminist icon for a generation of female music fans, and she is a surefire HOF-level artist.
Fugees:
I was torn on this section on whether to go with Lauryn Hill as a solo artist or Fugees, the group. Ultimately, chronological order won out here, and I went with Fugees as a group to be inducted first. The group was yet another collective that featured multiple immensely talented individuals with Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras all being among the most talented artists of 90’s rap. Of all the great rap groups of the 90’s, none were more soulful than Fugees. A lot of that has to do with Lauryn Hill who is probably one of the most underrated singers/vocalists in music history (she really is), but Wyclef Jean and Pras were no slouches either and their production work definitely brought a soulful and classic edge to the group’s sound that was frankly not prevalent in 90’s rap. Thus, they stood out as a group, and were a group whose career was much too brief. It’s a shame the group broke up so soon into their career as few groups had as much depth in their subject matter and were as talented. Ultimately, Lauryn’s lone solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill would prove to be a more pivotal work than either of the Fugees’ two albums, but I don’t think it’d be fair for Wyclef Jean’s and Pras’s contributions to music to go unnoticed. Thus, I think the Fugees should get the nod for induction next.
That’s going to conclude it for the rap genre. Even though I’m not going to go into great detail on who would be next, I can definitely say for sure that the next two acts would be a combination of De La Soul, Nas, and Lauryn Hill.
To recap, here is a final breakdown of how the Hall of Fame should work on rap music over the next 15 years:
2020/21/22: LL Cool J/Notorious B.I.G./Jay-Z/Eminem
2023/24/25: Eric B. and Rakim/Dr. Dre
2026/27/28: A Tribe Called Quest/OutKast
2029/30/31: Kanye West/Salt N’ Pepa/Wu Tang Clan
2032/33/34: Missy Elliott/Fugees
So, with that, here’s a list of other artists I considered, but ultimately didn’t make the final cut:
Currently Eligible Artists: Afrika Bambaataa, Boogie Down Productions, De La Soul, Gil Scott-Heron, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Kurtis Blow, Queen Latfiah, Snoop Dogg, the Sugarhill Gang
Future Eligible Artists: Nas (2020 class); Lauryn Hill (2024 class); 50 Cent (2025 class); Lil’ Wayne (2025 class)
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