The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2026 inductees, including Wu-Tang Clan, which has been officially voted into the Hall of Fame. The announcement was made on Monday (April 13), alongside other artists such as Sade, Luther Vandross, Oasis, Iron Maiden, Phil Collins, Billy Idol and Joy Division/New Order. Fellow rap icons Queen Latifah and MC Lyte will also be receiving the “Early Influence” award, which honors their status as pioneers in music and culture. Wu-Tang Clan and others will be formally inducted on November 14 at a ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
The event will be available to watch later in December on ABC and Disney+. In response to the news, RZA posted an Instagram message expressing his gratitude for all those who contributed to their journey. Other Wu-Tang members Raekwon and GZA also shared their thoughts, with Raekwon jokingly congratulating them on winning tonight and thanking their mothers. Alongside Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah and MC Lyte will be inducted into the Hall of Fame for their early influence. The addition of these three brings the total number of hip-hop acts in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to 18 so far. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were the first hip-hop group to join the Hall of Fame in 2007, followed by Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy and N.W.A. JAY-Z, Eminem, 2Pac, Biggie, OutKast, Missy Elliott and A Tribe Called Quest are also among the honorees. Additionally, LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Kool Herc have been recognized as Early Influence or Musical Excellence Award honorees.