The 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees class was stacked with many legends. Mary J. Blige, A Tribe Called Quest, Cher, Kool & The Gang, and Dionne Warwick were amongst the decked-out list of artists inducted. In addition to inspirational speeches, many of the stars provided iconic performances.
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The evening kicked off with two pop powerhouses, Cher and Dua Lipa, performing. The two sang “Believe” and then handed the stage over to Kool & The Gang.
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As for Cher, it is no surprise that the singer has been selected as an inductee. Her talent has crossed genres and demographics, making her an international superstar. Additionally, her career has lasted over several decades. As Zendaya stated as she inducted Cher, the 78-year-old has had a No. 1 hit on the Billboard charts in each of the past seven decades.
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“Where do I even begin? There is not one person in this room, in this country and pretty much in the whole world who doesn’t know who I’m here to honor tonight. So iconic, she only needs one name. …She does it all and may I add.. really f****** well,” Zendaya stated.
In her acceptance speech, Cher pointed out that her road to the Rock and Roll HOF has not been easy. She also took the time to honor her mother, Georgia Holt.
“It was easier getting divorced from two men than it was to get into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” she joked. “If you’re down and you’re out, you get up again. And in my life I’ve been so down, like as my mother would say, lower than a snake’s belly, OK, that’s how down I’ve been. People have told me that I’m finished and that I was through, I have 10 minutes [left]. The one thing I got from my mom is that I never gave up.”
Mary J. Blige Is The Queen Of Hip-Hop Soul
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Mary J. Blige, who has been dubbed as the creator of hip-hop soul, was introduced by Dr. Dre. As the music mogul spoke highly of Blige, he also reminded everyone of the role she has played in all of our lives.
“Let’s face it, you don’t just listen to a Mary album. You feel that s**t in your soul. Every single syllable, her emotional vocals capture the pain and culture, but her messages of resilience, of hope and light are a pathway towards healing. When you listen to Mary, we’re reminded we’re not alone in heartbreak,” Dr. Dre stated.
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According to NPR, after she was introduced, the singer performed some of her biggest hits: “Family Affair,” “Love No Limit,” and “Be Happy.” In her acceptance speech, she thanked her mom, Dr. Dre, and Method Man.
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After being eligible for 30 years, Kool & The Gang were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll HOF. Chuck D introduced the band and was sure to mention the band’s many hits: “Celebration,” “Cherish,” “Get Down On It,” “Jungle Boogie,” “Ladies Night,” and “Joanna.” Though Robert “Kool” Bell is the last surviving band member, he called on The Roots and James “JT” Taylor to help him perform.
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Dionne Warwick was also a long overdue inductee of 2024’s HOF. Teyana Taylor, who is slated to play the singer in an upcoming biopic, introduced the icon. Jennifer Hudson sang “I’ll Never Love This Way Again.” Warwick joined her and later sang “Walk on By.” In her acceptance speech, she kept it short and sweet.
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“I’m just going to say this and get off the stage: Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said.
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A Tribe Called Quest was also honored with an induction. They were introduced by Dave Chappelle, who stated that the group is responsible for bringing hip-hop and jazz together. Stars like Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, Common, The Roots, and De La Soul helped to present a medley of the group’s hits. A Tribe Called Quest was the only hip-hop act inducted this year.
Others inducted in 2024’s Rock and Roll HOF were the rock band Foreigner, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Frampton, Ozzy Ozburne, Alexis Korner, Big Mama Thornton, Jimmy Buffett, MC5, and Norman Whitfield.