World-famous rapper, Eminem was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on November 6, 2022. 

In one of the most joyous moments of his illustrious career, the Detroit rapper was inducted during a lengthy, star-studded ceremony at the Microsoft Theater. Eminem became the 20th Detroit inductee in the institution’s 36-year history, inducted by Dr. Dre and joined by Ed Sheeran and Steven Tyler during his musical performance.

Besides Eminem, here are all the rappers who have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, from 2021 inductees Jay-Z and LL Cool J to early rap pioneers Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

Jay-Z

On October 30, Jay-Z was inducted into the Rock Hall’s Class of 2021 as a performer. The rapper’s nomination came in his first year of eligibility, as his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, celebrated its 25th-anniversary last year.

“Thank you, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for this incredible honour. And you know, growing up, we didn’t think we could be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We were told that hip-hop was a fad,” the 23-time Grammy winner said in his acceptance speech, later adding, “Hopefully, I’m informing the next generation that anything is possible.”

L.L. Cool J

J.LL Cool J was also inducted into the Rock Hall’s Class of 2021 alongside Jay-Z after receiving six nominations and earning the Musical Excellence Award for his achievements in his illustrious career, which began when he debuted as the face of Def Jam Records at the age of 17.

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The Notorious B.I.G.

The Notorious B.I.G. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2020, with the group citing his prophetic releases — Ready to Die and Life After Death — as “two of hip-most hop’s influential albums.” Diddy, who signed the rapper to Bad Boy Records in 1993, inducted him in an online ceremony and spoke about the late rapper’s impact on the rap industry.

“Big just wanted to be the biggest, the best, to have influence and impact people in a positive way, and that clearly has been done all over the world,” Diddy explained.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur’s lyrics “spark conversations about rap, race relations, and young black men in America today,” according to the Rock Hall, which inducted him in 2017. Pac’s close friend and Death Row Records labelmate Snoop Dogg delivered an emotional speech at Shakur’s induction to honour the late rapper’s memory.

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“With an unapologetic rawness, Pac embraced those contradictions that prove we ain’t just a character out of someone else’s storybook,” Snoop said. “He is rightfully enshrined amongst the greatest musicians to ever do it.”

N.W.A

Members of N.W.A,  Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, DJ Yella, and the late Eazy-E were inducted into the Rock Hall’s Class of 2016 for their contributions to the gangsta subgenre of rap.

Ice Cube told Rolling Stone in 2015 about the nomination, “means that the group’s mark is kind of solidified.”

Public Enemy

In 2013, Public Enemy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the group recognising their signature blend of politics and philosophy in rap music.

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Public Enemy members Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, Terminator X, S1W, and Chuck D accepted the honour. “We are elements in motion for those who don’t believe hip-hop is high art,” Chuck D said during the group’s acceptance speech. “We are being honoured not only for our longevity but also for our skill and craft, as well as our tenure as a group and the individuals within.”

The Beastie Boys

The Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, with the hall praising their “clever wordplay” and “inventive genre splicing.”

Inducted by Chuck D and LL Cool J, the rap rockers later received their own memorabilia showcase in 2016 that included artifacts and mementoes from Mike D, Ad-Rock, and the late MCA.

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Run-DMC 

Run-DMC, comprised of members Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, and DJ Jason “Jam Master Jay,” “broke down barriers for potential rap acts, crossed limits between rap and rock, and quashed old notions of what rap could be, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Eminem has inducted the group into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

The Furious Five and Grandmaster Flash

In 2007, Jay-Z presented the award to members Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, The Kidd Creole, Keef Cowboy, Scorpio, and Rahiem for laying the groundwork in socially conscious rap music with their signature hit “The Message.”