2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees are in!

Everyone loves when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame rolls out its yearly ballot, but this time around the energy feels a little more like home. For those of us who live and breathe soul, the 2026 nominations feel like a long overdue family reunion. Seeing names like the velvet voiced Luther Vandross, the timelessly cool Sade, and the visionary Ms. Lauryn Hill on the list reminds us that soul has always been on top. From the harmonies of New Edition to the vocal power of Mariah Carey, this year’s class shows that Rock & Roll has always been built on the foundation of rhythm and blues, soul, and gospel.

It’s impossible to talk about the evolution of modern sound without acknowledging the blueprint these artists laid down. Think of Luther, who didn’t just sing songs, he painted emotion with a vocal technique so flawless it set the standard for every R&B male singer who followed. Sade created a lane all her own, blending soul and jazz into a sound that became the soundtrack for quiet nights and deep reflection. Then there’s the Wu Tang Clan. From the streets of Staten Island to the world, their philosophy, sound, and storytelling changed hip hop and proved that real culture always finds its audience.

For the community at The Soul Jurnee, these nominations feel personal. We’ve always known the line between soul, R&B, and rock is paper thin. Whether it’s the pop soul dominance of Mariah Carey or the genre bending impact of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, these artists didn’t just top charts. They changed how we heard music and how the culture moved through it.

Each of these nominees has already earned a place in our personal halls of fame, but there’s something special about seeing that legacy recognized on this stage. We’ll be watching closely to see who makes the final cut when the inductees are announced this April.