Who Was Newly Eligible for the Rock Hall This Year?

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame released their 2022 nominees today. The only artist to make the cut in their first year of eligibility is Eminem. The other most recent artists on the list are A Tribe Called Quest (first eligible in 2015), Rage Against the Machine (eligible 2018), and Beck (eligible 2019). An article discussing those artists can be found here.

Below are the most notable artists who became eligible for the Hall this year, listed with their genre(s) and odds for eventual induction to the Hall. It’s rare for anyone to be inducted in their first year of eligibility, although Foo Fighters and Jay-Z were both inducted on their first ballots last year. Eminem has a good shot at it this year.

Don’t forget to check out our lists of other artists already eligible for the Rock Hall and waiting to get in, including the rest of this year’s nominees.

Eligible 2022

Erykah Badu     Genre(s): R&B, Soul, Neo Soul, Hip-Hop     Odds of Induction: Lock
Erykah Badu released her first single in 1996. She has largely defined neo soul music since her debut. She will grace the halls of the Hall one day.

Eminem (real name Marshall Mathers III)     Genre(s): Hip-Hop     Odds of Induction: Lock
Eminem released his first album in 1996. He is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time and a master of hip-hop. He’s a lock for the Hall – don’t be surprised if he gets in in his first year of eligibility next year.

Eve 6     Genre(s): Alternative Rock     Odds of Induction: Slim
Eve 6 released their first EP in 1996. They make the list because they have a platinum album to their name. With only a couple of hits and little influence, it’s unlikely they get in.

Fastball     Genre(s): Alternative Rock, Pop Rock     Odds of Induction: Slim
Fastball released their first album in 1996. They also make the list because they have a platinum record. Known for hits “The Way” and “Out of My Head,” the band’s lack of influence will keep them out of the Hall.

John Janick and Vinnie Fiorello     Genre(s): Punk Pop, Alternative     Odds of Induction: High
John and Vinnie founded the Fueled by Ramen record label in 1996, a label which shifted the popular music scene in the 2000s and introduced artists like Jimmy Eat World, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Panic! at the Disco, Twenty One Pilots, and many more. They are likely to be inducted to the Ahmet Ertegun Award category.

Matchbox Twenty     Genre(s): Alternative Rock, Pop Rock      Odds of Induction: High
Matchbox Twenty released their first music in 1996. A major force in alternative rock, defining the genre in the late 90s and early 2000s, the band has been immensely successful and has influenced other artists, including State Champs. They will likely get in at some point.

Nickelback     Genre(s): Post-Grunge, Hard Rock     Odds of Induction: Medium
Nickelback released their first music in 1996. One of those post-grunge bands, they and Creed are probably the only two to have more detractors than the genre, likely due mostly to an annoyance that they have been such a popular band. Massive popularity helps their case, but their genre makes it murky. The butt of too many jokes, the Hall might never want to let Nickelback into their midst.

Skillet     Genre(s): Christian Rock, Hard Rock, Post-Grunge     Odds of Induction: Low
Skillet released their first album in 1996. Being the face of hard Christian Rock and a respected unrelenting touring schedule give them a decent shot at the Rock Hall.

Staind     Genre(s): Post-Grunge, Hard Rock     Odds of Induction: Medium
Staind released their first album in 1996. Sometimes incorrectly labeled as a nu-metal group, the band has released four platinum or multi-platinum albums. That, plus their respected lyrical messages could help them to the Rock Hall.