Wu-Tang Clan have officially been voted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Class of 2026 inductees were unveiled on Monday (April 13), with Sade, Luther Vandross, Oasis, Iron Maiden, Phil Collins, Billy Idol and Joy Division/New Order also getting the nod.
Fellow rap icons Queen Latifah and MC Lyte will also be joining them in the Hall of Fame as recipients of the “Early Influence” award, which recognizes their status as pioneers in music and culture.
Wu-Tang and co. will be formally inducted on November 14 at a ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, which will be available to watch in December on ABC and Disney+.
“In all Humility. This announcement filled me with joy, proudness, profound achievement, and awe,” RZA wrote on Instagram in reaction to the news. “I’m grateful to all my brothers and those who helped us on the path. Thank you Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This is a true Triumph – Wutang Forever.”
Raekwon added: “History books will know this club! this my grammy. what we talking bout! haaaaaaaaaaa. shout out to all our mothers who birth these men. they won tonite,” while GZA said: “We couldn’t have reached this milestone without our hip hop predecessors, fans, collaborators, friends and family. We thank you.”
Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey and Shakira were among those also nominated this year but did not receive enough votes from the international voting body of more than 1,200 inductees, historians and music industry professionals.
With the addition of Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah and MC Lyte, there are now 18 hip-hop acts in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were the first through the door in 2007, followed by Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy and N.W.A in subsequent years.
JAY-Z, Eminem, 2Pac, Biggie, OutKast, Missy Elliott and A Tribe Called Quest are also inductees, while LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Kool Herc have been recognized as either an Early Influence or a Musical Excellence Award honoree.
