I would say b-52s wear near for nomination at least for one year because John Sykes said "he believed they will appear on the ballot in the future". I guess they were put aside for Cyndi Lauper,and JD-NO
Beyonce won't be eligible for 2027, she's likely gonna be nominated for the 2028 class so I think Sykes likely gets Mariah one more chance until Beyonce's year.
I don't know why they're waiting on the B-52's for. Like their work has been heralded somewhat by the RRHOF ("Rock Lobster" was included in their list of 500-600 songs that shaped rock and roll - which is still pretty short, should be 1,000 songs). That song alone should get them in. If not as performers, I can see Musical Excellence (that is if their votes as Performers aren't strong).
I don't see too many from the Lilith Fair crowd getting a nomination. Most of the acts that got on there were at best fourth-tier acts. Sarah McLachlan, Indigo Girls, Jewel, etc., are not strong enough (and Jewel killed her chances years ago releasing her crossover "dance-pop" record). Only Alanis and Melissa (who was previously nominated) are the only ones I see following Sheryl Crow into the Hall.
Bjork definitely should get nominated next yet. I keep forgetting her. It would be great if she and her good friend Beck got in the same year (I used to think they would be a good couple when they were in their heyday since they were always around each other).
Tracy Chapman could see her chances rising though. I'm thinking after Sade's induction, her chances open up. She's the last notable black female '80s music icon yet to get a nomination long after the inductions of Whitney, Janet, MC Lyte and Salt-n-Pepa (and Sade Adu). I wouldn't count her out just yet.
I'm still miffed about Sonic Youth. Like what does the Hall have against them? Not Primetime ready enough, Sykes??? And honestly: DO NOT nominate the Black Crowes anymore. They're as much of a RRHOF act as the J. Geils Band (translation: not at all). I wouldn't mind them nominating Lenny again but I also don't think his chances are strong enough, Sade might be where that field stops - until they think of Erykah Badu and D'Angelo, both of whom have very strong cases.
Luther Vandross' well-deserved induction definitely opens the door for Patti LaBelle, Barry White and Teddy Pendergrass to take a stab for any R&B legend who became popular in the 70s and 80s (and in Patti's case, '60s with the Bluebelles) and since Patti was one of Luther's biggest influences, would be perfect for her. Maybe not strong enough for a Performer induction but I can see the Hall inducting her through the Influence door. But I predict New Edition MIGHT return next year. I said "might". I'm not entirely sure.
I predict an Influence induction for Eric B. & Rakim while Nas or Snoop Dogg get in as Performer.
I wonder how many attempts the Hall will give Mariah Carey. Seems no matter what they do to make it easy for her, the Hall is just not willing to put her in. Second year had few women/R&B acts and she still lost. Last one forced voters to add seven inductees and she still got passed over. I think for Mariah's chances to get in to grow, the woman herself has to raise the alarm. Sykes can't do it alone but Mariah sadly half-asses things. You can tell she's pretty nonchalant. It's not even nonchalant in the way Cher's was lol she is one of the biggest eligible rock-adjacent divas who have yet to get in (the biggest is Diana Ross IMHO) and yet she's yet to get enough votes. I'm not against a 2027 nomination but I'm cautious that if she gets passed over again that it'll be more embarrassing than it already is.
Still way too early to predict the 2027 nomination class though. But I think you get the gist of where I see things next year.
Tom H. wrote: