Rock Hall CEO Defends Eminem's Induction Into Hall of Fame

Stating that the rapper’s music is just “as hard hitting and straight ahead as any metal song.”

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Rock Hall CEO Greg Harris recently discussed Eminem‘s induction into the 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, stating that the rapper’s music emits the same feeling as music from metal artists.

Speaking to Audacy, Harris explained that they were “thrilled” to have Em be inducted in his first year of eligibility. “For a lot of years people asked about hip-hop. He’s the 10th artist to be sort of categorized that way. But you listen to his music, it is as hard hitting and straight ahead as any metal song,” he said. “Like, it’s right there. It really is. It’s a chest punch with a message and with a power and with a rhythm and with a bang, so we’re thrilled he’s going in his first year of eligibility. It’s a big statement.”

The CEO added that the rapper is a good friend of the Rock Hall’s and has helped them in the past. “By the way, [Eminem] has come and helped us. He came and helped induct Run-DMC, and then he popped up on stage at the last year’s induction with LL Cool J when they brought the house down during his induction ceremony. Love that he’s paying a nod to his influences, and now he’s the one in the spotlight, and he influenced so many more.”

The performers joining Eminem as this year’s inductees are Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eurythmics and Carly Simon.

Elsewhere in music, Future’s “WAIT FOR U” debuts at No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart.

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Sophie Caraan
Sophie Caraan Managing Editor

Sophie Caraan is the Managing Editor at Hypebeast, where she sets the editorial direction, standards, and output strategy for the HQ team. With a decade of editorial experience, she brings both a storyteller's instinct and a strategist's eye — spotlighting the figures and movements that shape the culture across a multitude of lanes. Her tenure is marked by high-impact conversations with the likes of RZA, Mads Mikkelsen, CORTIS, Erling Haaland, Kasing Lung, NIGO, and more.

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