Jay-Z, Foo Fighters welcomed into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The self-proclaimed “greatest rapper alive” was inducted Saturday night time as a part of an eclectic 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class that included Foo Fighters, Carole King, Tina Turner, The Go-Gos and Todd Rundgren.

Once a drug seller on the robust streets of Brooklyn, New York, Jay-Z rose via the rap world with arduous, straight-forward songs that usually portrayed the struggles of Black individuals in America.

His catalogue contains songs like “Hard Knock Life,” “99 Problems” and “Empire State of Mind” in addition to 14 No. 1 albums.

Following a video introduction that included President Barack Obama, LeBron James and David Letterman, Jay-Z was inducted by comic Dave Chappelle, who praised him for being an inspiration.

“He rhymed a recipe for survival,” Chappelle stated. “He embodies what the potential of our lives can be and what success can be.”

Paul McCartney welcomed Foo Fighters, who’ve carried the mantle as considered one of rock’s high area acts. Initially, the band was little greater than a facet challenge for entrance man Dave Grohl, who was beforehand inducted as Nirvana’s drummer.

McCartney described the parallels between he and Grohl as each have been a part of massively standard bands who broke up.

“Do you think this guy is stalking me?” McCartney joked.

Foo Fighters and McCartney closed the present with the Beatles’ “Get Back.”

Rapper LL Cool J was enshrined for musical excellence together with keyboardist Billy Preston and guitarist Randy Rhoads.

Electronic pioneers Kraftwerk, singer-poet Gil Scott-Heron and Delta blues legend Charley Patton have been inducted as early influencers and Sussex Records founder Clarence Avant acquired the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

Cool J recruited a few of his heavyweight musical buddies to usher him into rock immortality. One of rap’s hip-hops first superstars was joined on stage by Eminem and Jennifer Lopez for a strong career-spanning efficiency.

With New York avenue model and swagger, Cool J stays a related artist greater than 40 years after he first spit lyrics.

“What does LL really stand for?” requested rapper/producer Dr. Dre in his induction speech. “Ladies love? Living large? Licking lips? I’m here because I think it stands for living legend.”

Cool J then did a medley of his hits, together with “Rock The Bells” accompanied by a bearded Eminem earlier than he was joined by J-Lo for “All I Have.” Cool J wrapped up his blistering set with with considered one of his greatest hits, “Mama Said Knock You Out.”

Superstar Taylor Swift opened the present with considered one of King’s best-known songs, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” which appeared on “Tapestry” her seminal 1971 album — a soundtrack for a technology.

Swift gave a transferring, heartfelt induction speech for considered one of her musical idols.

“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Carole King’s music,” Swift stated, saying her dad and mom taught her a number of essential classes as a baby with one of the crucial essential being “that Carole King is the greatest songwriter of all time.”

King thanked Swift “for carrying the torch forward.” She famous different feminine singers and songwriters have stated they stand on her shoulders.

“Let it not be forgotten,” King stated. “They also stand on the shoulders of the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. May she rest in power, Miss Aretha Franklin.”

King then launched Jennifer Hudson, who carried out a surprising, rafter-shaking efficiency of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” earlier than King sang “You Got A Friend.”

The 81-year-old Turner, who discovered her best success when she left abusive husband Ike Turner, lives in Switzerland and didn’t attend the ceremony.

“If they’re still giving me awards at 81,” Turner stated in a video message. “I must have done something right.”

Keith Urban and H.E.R. carried out “It’s Only Love” a duet Turner did with Bryan Adams earlier than Mickey Guyton took on her most iconic music, “What’s Love Got To Do With It.” Then Christina Aguilera belted out “River Deep, Mountain High.”

Considered the best feminine group in rock historical past, The Go-Go’s emerged from Los Angeles’ punk scene within the Nineteen Eighties. The quintet broke guidelines and smashed gender ceilings in a male-dominated trade with hits like “We Got The Beat,” “My Lips Are Sealed” and “Head Over Heels.”

“They’ve been in my personal Hall of Fame since I was 6 years old,” stated actress Drew Barrymore, who mimicked the quilt of the band’s debut album, “Beauty and the Beat,” throughout her induction speech by wrapping her physique and hair in bathtub towels and making use of face cream.

“Now,” she stated. “My childhood fantasy is fulfilled.”

Best identified for mushy ballads like “Hello It’s Me” and “Love Is The Answer,” Rundgren additionally had a protracted path to induction. He’s been outspoken concerning the corridor’s choice course of and skipped the ceremony in protest.

“Ever defiant,” Patti Smith stated in a video presenting Rundgren.

This 12 months’s ceremony was held for the primary time at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the 20,000-seat dwelling of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and a venue acquainted to Jay-Z and Foo Fighters, who’ve performed reveals within the area earlier than.

It was a return to normalcy for the occasion, which was compelled to go digital in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

Artists should not eligible for induction till 25 years after launch of their first recording. There are full of life debates yearly over omissions, and as Public Enemy’s Chuck D famous throughout a plaque induction ceremony on Friday on the corridor, endurance is usually one other requirement for entrance.

“It ain’t no overnight thing,” he stated. “You can’t stumble into this place.”

That was actually the case for King, who had been eligible for enshrinement as a solo artist since 1986. She went in beforehand as a songwriter with Gerry Goffin, her late husband, in 1990.

The ceremony can be proven on HBO on Nov. 20.