Seminal hiphop duo, OutKast and the first all-female rap crew, Salt-N-Pepa are the latest inductees of the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The other 11 nominees include Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Warren Zevon and several more.
The announcement was made live on ABC by American Idol‘s Ryan Seacrest during a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-themed episode, where the Top 14 finalists paid homage with songs from legendary past inductees as the nation voted to eliminate two contestants.
The ‘ATLiens’ group shared the news across social platforms with a thank you video for all of those of voted.
Salt-N-Pepa excitedly wrote on Instagram, “From Walk of Fame in 2021 to Hall of Fame in 2025 and everything in between!!”
To be eligible for induction, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination.
This year’s group will be formally immortalized in the Rock Hall with the 2025 induction ceremony later this year at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Outkast was a major force in bringing attention to Southern rap in the mid-1990s. Comprised of Big Boi and Andre 3000, the duo achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success with the release six studio albums.
Salt-N-Pepa broke barriers in a then male-dominated art form. The hip hop group were the first all-female group to cross over to pop, party anthems. The trio had major hits in both the ’80s and ’90s, including, “Push It,” “Shake Your Thang,” “Shoop” and “Whatta Man.”
2025 Rock and Roll Inductees
PERFORMER CATEGORY
This category includes artists who have created music with originality, impact and influence that changed the course of rock ‘n’ roll.
- Bad Company (first-time nominee)
- Chubby Checker (first-time nominee)
- Joe Cocker (first-time nominee)
- Cyndi Lauper
- Outkast (first-time nominee)
- Soundgarden
- The White Stripes
MUSICAL INFLUENCE AWARD
This category includes artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired and evolved rock ‘n’ roll and music impacting youth culture.
- Salt-N-Pepa
- Warren Zevon
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
This category includes artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.
- Thom Bell
- Nicky Hopkins
- Carol Kaye
AHMET ERTEGUN AWARD
This category includes non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock ‘n’ roll and music that has impacted youth culture.
- Lenny Waronker