Ranking 2024 Rock Hall nominees by levels of worthiness
By Lee Vowell
Level: Against all odds should they get into the Rock Hall
- Mary J. Blige
- Mariah Carey
- Eric B. & Rakim
- Foreigner
Three of these artists might be considered influencers and then there is Foreigner. I could have easily moved Foreigner to the back of the pack on this list but that would be short-sighted. In the 1970s and early 1980s, they were a popular band that released a bunch of good-selling records. If we were discussing Foreigner in 1990, things might seem differently. No, they do not deserve to be in the Rock Hall, but they should not be dismissed out of hand.
Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey are kind of in the same hole. Both have been popular with Carey worthy of being inducted into a Pop Music Hall of Fame (and museum; let's not forget the museum!), but has she really influenced rock artists very much? I would say no. In fact, Blige likely has done more of that and has a collaboration with U2 under her belt on the song, "One."
Eric B. & Rakim? Not rock musicians, obviously, but influencers? Definitely. Maybe more than almost any other 2024 nominee, except two. If they get inducted it would be because of that and only that.