There are no surefire first year eligibles, so the 2024 Nominee ballot should be filled with previous and first time nominees. The Hall usually nominates between 15-17 acts a year. Although they have gone as high as 19 but last year there were only 14 nominees.
This will be an interesting Hall ballot. Jann Wenner’s dismissal exposed the Hall’s lack of diversity among its inductees. Will the 2024 ballot be affected by all of this? That’s the big question confronting those of us making predictions.
For 2024 I'm predicting 15 nominees.
B-52's - These New Wave pioneers are long overdue for a nomination. Still in the news regarding a final tour, an induction would bring a much needed boost of humor, camp and party vibes to the Hall. No previous nominations.
Cher - A huge icon that has amazingly never been nominated. Cher seemed to be everywhere in the last 3 months of 2023 promoting her Christmas album and the 25th anniversary of "Believe". I don't think the NomCom will care that Cher has been saying she doesn't care about getting inducted..
Cyndi Lauper - Of the 2023 nominees not to get inducted, Lauper's was the most surprising. My guess is she was close enough to get her back on the ballot. One previous nomination.
Dave Matthews Band - The 2020 fan vote winner hasn't been able to get a second nomination. Matthews was busy in 2023 though. A new album, tour plus another appearance as an inductor at last years Rock Hall ceremony. Take all that and 2024 seems like his best chance for a second nomination.
Dionne Warwick - Off the ballot last year after 2 consecutive nominations. I still think she will get in soon, either in the performer category or the Musical Excellence one. Two previous nominations.
Jimmy Buffett - Buffett's death last year spurred a deeper look at his influence on Country and Rock music. I feel safe in saying that his influence on Country music was deeper than on Rock music. Never nominated before, 2024 now seems like his best chance at an induction. No previous nominations.
Kool & The Gang - How is that one of the Founders of Funk turned 80's crossover hit machine can't get on a ballot? And 2024 is their 60th anniversary too. A Songwriters Hall inductee in 2018. Now, sadly down to one original member. Paging Questlove. No previous nominations.. .
Mariah Carey - When? That’s the only question most are asking regarding a possible first nomination.
Outkast - We all know how bad the NomCom wants A Tribe Called Quest inducted. But after 2 successive nominations, maybe it's time to switch things up and give a group that might be an FYN a chance. Andre 3000 was back in the music news last year with an instrumental album. No previous nominations.
Queen Latifah - The induction of Missy Elliott has many wondering who will be the next female rap act to get a nomination. You can't go wrong with either Latifah or Salt-N-Pepa. She also inducted Missy last year too. No previous nominations.
Sinead O'Connor - As usually happens when someone dies, a reappraisal of their career happens. And O'Connor's career definitely needed a new look. I'm betting the NomCom sees how influential she was. No previous nomination.
Soundgarden - - Back in 2020 Motorhead, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, MC5, T. Rex and Soundgarden were all on the same ballot. A dream ballot for Metal/Hard Rock/Classic Rock fans. But, alas, only T. Rex got voted in that year. With Judas Priest receiving a Musical Excellence nod in 2022. With RATM finally off the ballot, Soundgarden might be able to pick up some extra votes. This would be Soundgarden’s 3rd nomination.
Tracy Chapman - Just as Kate Bush had a catalog song find new from its placement in a hit TV show, so did Tracy Chapman thanks to Luke Combs’ Country crossover cover of “Fast Car”. Chapman’s career has gotten a reappraisal thanks to all this newfound publicity. Maybe enough for a first nomination.
Warren Zevon - A surprise nominee last year that thrilled many baby boomers. John Sykes said on a radio show after the inductees were announced that Zevon did well on last years ballot. Good. enough for a second nomination? One previous nomination.
White Stripes - Count me as one of those surprised that they were not an FYE last year. I just thought Jack White had made enough musical peers to go in. So, let's see what happens on a second nom. One previous nomination.
Other Possible Nominees: A Tribe Called Quest, Coldplay, Devo, Iron Maiden, Jane’s Addiction, John Prine, Lenny Kravitz, Los Lobos, Mary J. Blige, Peter Frampton, Replacements, Salt-N-Pepa, Snoop Dogg, War
