2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

11.23.22

Eminem, Dr Dre 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally aired over the past weekend, and it was certainly a special night. While Rock and Roll may seem far off from our standard hip-hop subjects, it is apparent that the two are working together, as hip-hop continues to grow it’s presence during these ceremonies.

The 2022 artist inductees include Eminem, Lionel Richie, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Carly Simon, Dolly Parton and the Eurythmics. Additional awards included the Musical Excellence Award, won by Judas Priest and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The Early Influence Award, won by Harry Belafonte and Elizabeth Cotten. And of finally, Ahmet Ertegun Award. presented to Allen Grubman, Sylvia Robinson and Jimmy Iovine.

Last year, we witnessed both Jay-Z and LL Cool J be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and that was legendary. What could only be even more cool this year, is seeing Eminem and Jimmy Iovine being inducted in the same year (with LL Cool J in the audience supporting them both).

Jimmy Iovine had his fair share producing real rock and roll music, but it was his relationship with hip-hop that ended up making him the legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee he is, today. Jimmy co-produced Eminem’s film, 8 Mile, he co-founded Dr Dre’s Beats By Dre, and this team has truly been a powerhouse every since. I loved seeing Jimmy Iovine being acknowledged alongside Eminem.

Eminem of course had an outstanding presence throughout the night. He performed Sing for the Moment, with Steven Tyler. He performed Stan, with Ed Sheeran, a fun twist. He shocked the entire room when he cut the added sound to rap the fast verse from Rap God, word for word. I was pleasantly surprised when Eminem closed his set with his verse from Forever, yeah, the one with Drake, Kanye West and Lil Wayne. A really great set overall, with lots of surprises.

Of course it was Dre who inducted him into the hall. The two of them played off of the theme that Eminem was given, “Unbridled controversy.” There were some jokes that made me wonder if we (hip-hop) would be invited back next year. But in the end, you hear the dedication, the work ethic, and the love for music as a whole. Eminem recited his speech, where he thanked his hip-hop teachers in alphabetical order. And there were a lot of them.

Hip-Hop is definitely, slowly being recognized at this great, honorable platform. Who do you want to see reach the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, next?