Whitney houston live in concert
Photo Credit: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Last year's inductees included Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks and Radiohead.
Whitney Houston and Notorious B.I.G. have been announced as inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Additional inductees include Nine Inch Nails, the Doobie Brothers, T. Rex and Depeche Mode. A few of the nominees that weren’t inducted this year were Rufus with Chaka Khan, Motorhead and Dave Matthews Band.
In order to be eligible for inclusion, the artist’s debut album or first single must have been released in 1994 or earlier. For example, since Notorious B.I.G.’s first album, Ready To Die dropped in 1994, this was the first year he qualified for a nomination. The Brooklyn rapper is the second solo rapper to be admitted into the Rock Hall, he follows Tupac who was inducted in 2017.
In a recent interview with Billboard, Biggie's mother Voletta Wallace spoke about the monumental moment for her late son:
"As a mother, I'm extremely proud of his accomplishments. You know, I still see such a young man at a young age, and sadly, he's not here to witness all this. But it's an astute honor, and as a mother, I'm just elated for that."
She went on to share, "Many of [his songs] speak truth. It might be gritty, and maybe the language is so out there, but he was honest," she said. "This legacy was trusted to me, and I have to respect it, I couldn't walk away from his legacy, so I have to care for it, I have to love it, and I have to respect it."
Whitney Houston is the sole woman to be inducted this year. Houston’s iconic career which has undoubtedly paved the way for countless pop singers over the years. In the past, the Rock Hall has faced criticism for its lack of diversity. Janet Jackson spoke up about this issue at last year’s ceremony during her acceptance speech when she declared, “2020 — please induct more women.”
NBC News reports ballots were sent to an international voting body of more than 1,000 artists, such as living inductees, historians and individuals in the music industry. Additionally, an artist’s musical influence on other artists, innovation, superiority in style and technique were factored into the voting.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2019 featured Janet Jackson, Radiohead, Stevie Nicks, the Cure, Roxy Music, Def Leppard, and the Zombies.
The 35th annual ceremony will broadcast live on May 2 on HBO from the Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio.
Take a look at celebrities showing their support for Notorious B.I.G. below.
