Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2025 Nominees: Mariah Carey, OutKast, Chubby Checker & More
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its latest batch of nominees, with a diverse lineup of legendary artists in the running for induction. Among the contenders are rock icons Bad Company, pop powerhouse Mariah Carey, punk rebel Billy Idol, and, after decades of advocacy, the dance music trailblazer Chubby Checker.
In total, 14 artists have been nominated: Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, Maná, Oasis, OutKast, Phish, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes. Of those, eight are first-time nominees, including Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná, OutKast, and Phish.
“These incredible artists have each defined their own musical identity, shaping generations of music lovers and pushing the evolution of rock & roll forward,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. The official inductees will be announced in late April, along with additional honorees in categories such as Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award.
The 2025 induction ceremony is set to take place in Los Angeles this fall.
For 83-year-old Chubby Checker, the nomination marks a long-awaited acknowledgment of his contributions to music history. His 1960 classic “The Twist” sparked a nationwide dance phenomenon, inspiring moves like the Watusi, the Mashed Potato, and The Jerk. Despite his undeniable influence, Checker has been outspoken about the Hall’s long delay in recognizing him. In 2001, he even took out a full-page ad in Billboard, demanding induction—and a Nobel Prize for his impact. “I want my flowers while I’m alive,” he wrote at the time. “I can’t smell them when I’m dead.” He even suggested that if inducted, his statue should be placed on a 30-foot pedestal, separate from the rest.
This year’s nominees span a wide range of genres, from classic rock mainstays like Bad Company and Billy Idol to alternative rock pioneers Joy Division/New Order and The White Stripes. Joe Cocker represents the Woodstock era, while OutKast continues to solidify hip-hop’s presence in the Hall. Mexican rock legends Maná also earn a well-deserved spot on the list.
Despite ongoing criticism about the lack of female representation in past years, only two women—Mariah Carey and Cyndi Lauper—received nominations this year, continuing a debate about gender balance in the Rock Hall’s selection process.
With such a diverse and influential list of nominees, the 2025 induction is sure to be a historic one.
