The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its class of 2026, bringing together a genre-spanning roster of artists that includes Oasis, Phil Collins, Sade, Wu-Tang Clan and Luther Vandross. The announcement drew immediate attention both for who made the cut and who didn't.
New Edition, which won the fan vote, was not selected for induction — a snub that quickly generated backlash online and in music circles, according to The Guardian. The fan vote is one component of the selection process but does not guarantee entry, a distinction that has frustrated supporters of the R&B group for years.
Phil Collins, already inducted once as a member of Genesis, will now enter as a solo artist, recognizing a career that produced hits like "In the Air Tonight" and "Against All Odds." Oasis, the Britpop titans behind "Wonderwall" and "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?", earn their place after years of eligibility. Sade, the British-Nigerian group fronted by Sade Adu, and Staten Island hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan round out a class that underscores the Hall's increasingly broad definition of rock and roll.
Luther Vandross, the silky-voiced R&B legend who died in 2005, will be inducted posthumously. His inclusion is widely seen as long overdue, given his influence on generations of soul and pop vocalists.
The induction ceremony is expected to take place later this year. Details on the venue and date have not yet been announced.
