Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Embraces Diversity In 2021 Inductees

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame just invited some incredible talent to its 2021 class.

In order to be eligible for induction, artists must have released their first album more than twenty-five years ago. They also must have “created music whose originality, impact, and influence has changed the course of rock & roll.”

The official organization claimed that this group is the “most diverse list of inductees in the history of the organization.”

Embracing diversity was one of the most important qualities of this year’s induction, with chairman John Sykes noting that “this diverse class of talented inductees reflects the Hall’s ongoing commitment to honor artists whose music created the sound of youth culture.”

This year, the Hall of Fame welcomed legendary artists Jay-Z, The Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s, Carole King, Todd Rundgren, and Tina Turner. Rundgren chose not to attend the ceremony, as he said that he did not believe that making music was a contest.

Taylor Swift Had Carole King In Tears

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Taylor Swift opened the show with a synth-pop version of Carole King’s “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” Although Swift seemed to be having a great time on the stage in a lacey black glittering bodysuit, her performance moved King to tears.

Swift and King have actually met before. Besides both artists holding the distinction of winning the Grammy award for Album of the Year, King presented Swift the Artist of the Decade Award at the 2019 American Music Awards.

While introducing the artist, King said of Swift, “Over the years, I have known some great songwriters and I have also known some great singers and performers. It’s rare to see all those talents in one person. Taylor Swift. She is one of the only modern pop artists whose name appears as the sole songwriter in her song credits. Her lyrics resonate across all generations, her songs touch everyone and her impact around the world is extraordinary.”

Swift had equally kind words to say about King, saying that her 1971 “Tapestry” album was “a watershed moment for humans in the world with feelings.”

President Obama Called Jay-Z ‘The Embodiment of the American Dream’

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Speaking via a videophone, former President Barrack Obama paid tribute to Jay-Z by calling him the “embodiment of the American dream.” Now 51, the Brooklyn-born talent, born Shawn Corey Carter, holds the distinction of being the first solo living rapper inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“That’s a lot, trying to make me cry in front of all these white people,” Jay-Z joked. “Growing up, we didn’t think we could be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We were told that hip-hop was a fad.”

Jay-Z also received a tribute from comedian Dave Chappelle, who has been in hot water lately for some controversial remarks he made during his recent Netflix comedy special.

Christina Aguilera Performs Tina Turner’s Best Hits

Although the audience was amazed by Christina Aguilera’s performance of hit Tina Turner singles, Turner herself was unable to attend the ceremony.

Turner, now 81, sent her thanks by a video message from her home in Switzerland.

“If they’re still giving me awards at 81, I must be doing something right,” Turner joked.

Dave Grohl Enters The Hall of Fame A Second Time

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The Foo Fighters were honored by Paul McCartney as they entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; however, this is a second for singer and guitarist Dave Grohl. Grohl was also the drummer for Nirvana, who was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2014.

After their acceptance speech, Foo Fighters performed some of their best hits, including “Best of You,” “My Hero,” and “Everlong.” McCartney then joined them on stage to cover The Beatles hit “Get Back.”

You can watch a clip of the footage below.