THE ROCK and Roll Hall of Fame celebrates legends in the music industry.
On October 30, the class of 2021 was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and featured their most diverse group of artists in history.
This year, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame welcomed its most diverse class yet.
In the performer category, the inductees included Jay-Z, Tina Turner, Carole King, The Go-Go’s, Foo Fighters, and Todd Rundgren.
Jay-Z became one of only a few solo rappers to ever be inducted into the Hall of Fame, finding himself amongst others like Tupac and Notorious B.I.G.
The Early Influence Award was given to Kraftwerk, Charley Patton, and Gil Scott-Heron.
According to the Rock Hall website, “The Early Influence Award shall be given to a performing artist or group whose music and performance style have directly influenced and helped inspire and evolve rock & roll and music that has impacted youth culture.”
LL Cool J, Billy Preston, and Randy Rhoads earned themselves the Musical Excellence Award, which celebrates artists who have had a “dramatic impact on music”.
Finally, the Ahmet Ertegun Award was given to Clarence Avant.
On Saturday, October 30, 2021, Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse was home to a plethora of legendary people.
Jay-Z’s induction included video footage from celebrities like Rihanna, DJ Khaled, and Samuel L. Jackson. Former president Barack Obama also appeared in video footage to honor the rapper.
“I’ve turned to Jay-Z’s words at different points in my life, whether I was brushing dirt off my shoulder on the campaign trail, or sampling his lyrics on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the 50th anniversary of the Selma march to Montgomery,” Obama said.
“Today Jay-Z is one of the most renowned artists in history and an embodiment of the American dream, a dream he has helped make real for other young people like him.”
Dave Chappelle also appeared to induct Jay-Z in person.
One of rock and roll’s most memorable musicians, Paul McCartney, was there to induct the Foo Fighters.
McCartney was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame himself in 1999.
The induction ceremony also featured performances by Taylor Swift, LL Cool J, Carole King, Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera and the Go-Go’s.
Jennifer Lopez and Eminem are also said to have made appearances during the event.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony airs on HBO on November 20, 2021.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was founded in 1983 by businessman and musician, Ahmet Ertegun.
In 1986, it was decided that Cleveland would be home to the physical Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The city is where the term “rock and roll” was coined, and helped give starts to legends like David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen.
The Hall of Fame was designed by architect I. M. Pei, and was dedicated on September 1, 1995, in front of a crowd of over 10K people.
Each year since 1986, the Hall of Fame has inducted new members. The inductees are honored in a special wing of the museum.
The museum portion of the Hall of Fame documents the history of rock and roll, along with music production and business.
According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website, “our mission is clear: to engage, teach, and inspire through the power of rock and roll. We share stories of the people, events and songs that shape our world through exhibits, innovate programs and concerts.”
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