The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2025, with legendary rap duo Outkast among this year’s new inductees.
Other inductees in the performer category are Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Cyndi Lauper, Bad Company, Chubby Checker and Joe Cocker, the Hall of Fame said in a press release.
Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon will be honored with the Musical Influence Award.
Related: Salt-N-Pepa Reunite With DJ Spinderella on Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Musical Excellence Award will go to Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins and Carol Kaye.
Longtime record producer and music executive Lenny Waronker will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award, which recognizes non-performing industry professionals who have made a lasting impact on the growth of music.
The full list of inductees was revealed by Ryan Seacrest during a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-themed episode of American Idol.
Four of this year’s eight inductees — Outkast, Bad Company, Chubby Checker and Joe Cocker — were on the ballot for the first time.
“Each of these inductees created their own sound and attitude that had a profound impact on culture and helped to change the course of Rock & Roll forever,” said John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Their music gave a voice to generations and influenced countless artists that followed in their footsteps.”
In the 1990s, Big Boi and fellow Outkast member André “3000” Benjamin signed with LaFace Records, the Atlanta-based urban music label started by Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.
In 2003, Outkast dropped the double album “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below,” which featured the chart-topping singles “Hey Ya!” and “The Way You Move.” The disc won the Grammy Award for album of the year.
The group is one of only two rap acts to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, alongside Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in 1999.
To qualify for induction, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before the year they’re nominated.
Other hip-hop acts previously inducted include Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, Eminem, and A Tribe Called Quest.
The 2025 induction ceremony will be held Saturday, Nov. 8 in a shift to Los Angeles. It will stream live on Disney+.
Below is the complete list of inductees for 2025:
Performer Category:
Bad Company
Chubby Checker
Joe Cocker
Cyndi Lauper
Outkast
Soundgarden
The White Stripes
Musical Influence Award:
Salt-N-Pepa
Warren Zevon
Musical Excellence Award:
Thom Bell
Nicky Hopkins
Carol Kaye
Ahmet Ertegun Award:
Lenny Waronker
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