The air inside Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater on November 8, 2025, was electric with anticipation as legends, newcomers, and fans gathered for the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This year’s event, streamed live on Disney+ and set to air in a highlights special on ABC on January 1, 2026, was a testament to rock’s enduring legacy and its ever-evolving soundscape. The Class of 2025 included a diverse roster: Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa, Soundgarden, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, The White Stripes, and the late Warren Zevon, among others. But beyond the glittering performances and star-studded tributes, the night spotlighted both the triumphs and the controversies that have long accompanied the Hall’s decisions.
The induction of Outkast and Salt-N-Pepa marked a watershed moment for hip-hop within the traditionally rock-centric Hall. Outkast, the Atlanta duo of André “André 3000” Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, were celebrated for their revolutionary impact on Southern hip-hop. From humble beginnings in a basement studio known as the Dungeon, they forged a sound that blended hip-hop with funk, earning platinum status with their debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik in 1994. Their subsequent records—ATLiens, Aquemini, and Stankonia—produced era-defining tracks like “Ms. Jackson,” “Roses,” and “So Fresh, So Clean.” When Salt-N-Pepa and Kid ‘n Play announced them as Best Newcomer at the 1995 Source Awards, André 3000’s now-legendary retort to booing—“The South got something to say”—echoed the duo’s determination to carve out space for Southern artists amid the East Coast-West Coast rivalry, as reported by NCAT Register.
Outkast’s induction, presented by Donald Glover, was met with widespread acclaim. Ca’lel Simmons, a junior physics student, told NCAT Register, “It’s right on time for the duo… they started from just a small room and developed a sound that not only sounded good for the time… but (still) holds up now, (even) after André and Big Boi (went in) separate directions with their careers.” Their performance at the ceremony was a tour de force: Big Boi and JID opened with “ATLiens,” Doja Cat took on “Ms. Jackson,” Tyler, the Creator delivered “B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad),” Janelle Monáe energized “Hey Ya!,” Sleepy Brown joined Big Boi for “The Way You Move,” and Killer Mike helped close with “The Whole World.”
Salt-N-Pepa’s induction was equally historic. The trio—Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandy “Pepa” Denton, and Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper—became the first female rap group in the Hall, with Spinderella the first female DJ honored. Their trailblazing journey began with the platinum-certified Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986), featuring the indelible “Push It.” Over the next decade, they produced hits like “Shoop” and “Whatta Man.” Their 1995 Grammy win for Best Rap Performance was a first for a female rap act. Missy Elliott, the Hall’s first female rapper inductee in 2023, presented Salt-N-Pepa with the Musical Influence Award, declaring, “The reason that you even know Missy Elliott’s name is because of Salt, Pepa, and Spinderella.”
Salt-N-Pepa’s performance was a celebration of female empowerment and hip-hop excellence. They opened with “Shoop,” segued into “Let’s Talk About S**,” brought out En Vogue for “Whatta Man,” and were joined by Kid ‘n Play for a rousing finale of “Push It.” For many, their recognition was overdue. “It should’ve come sooner… (they have a) very important presence in the culture of Black women… I would hope that it gives (a pathway) for female Black hip-hop artists to be recognized for their talent…to share their own experiences and journey…and get recognized in the hip-hop community,” said Sierra Lawson, a junior physics student, as quoted by NCAT Register.
The ceremony also honored Soundgarden, one of Seattle’s grunge pioneers. The band’s induction was made especially poignant by the presence of Chris Cornell’s daughter, Toni Cornell, who took the stage with Heart’s Nancy Wilson to perform “Fell on Black Days.” Toni later reflected on Instagram, “Performing 'Fell on Black Days' was one of the greatest honors of my life, and one of the hardest things I've ever done. My dad's absence is always felt, but singing his songs always makes me feel closer to him.” She recounted childhood memories of Soundgarden’s 2010 reunion, noting, “I might have been too young to understand the magnitude of this moment, but I still knew I was witnessing something extraordinary.” Actor Jim Carrey inducted the band, while Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready and Alice In Chains’ Jerry Cantrell joined Brandi Carlile and Taylor Momsen for a stirring rendition of “Black Hole Sun.”
Warren Zevon, the late singer-songwriter lauded for his poetic, offbeat, and darkly humorous songs, was honored posthumously with the Musical Influence Award. TV host David Letterman, who inducted Zevon, described him as “the soul of L.A.” and praised his music as “dense with historic illusion, love, and sadness tinted with unexpected whimsy and delivered with third-rail voltage rock ‘n’ roll, or sweet, heartbreaking, lush, symphonic melodies.” Letterman’s recollection of Zevon’s advice during his final “Late Show” appearance—“enjoy every sandwich”—struck a chord with the audience. Letterman presented Zevon’s cherished guitar to The Killers’ Dave Keuning, who, alongside his band and guest musician Waddy Wachtel, delivered a rousing performance of “Lawyers, Guns and Money,” weaving in a touch of “Werewolves of London.”
Yet, as the Hall celebrated new inductees, it faced criticism for its timing. Dennis DeYoung, former Styx frontman, took to Facebook to lament that Bad Company’s induction came so late that lead singer Paul Rodgers, due to health concerns, was unable to perform. “It’s a shame that Bad Company had to wait so long to get in that it rendered Paul Rodgers unable to perform due to health concerns,” DeYoung wrote. Rodgers himself addressed fans on social media: “My hope was to be at the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame induction ceremony and to perform for the fans, but at this time I have to prioritize my health… Thanks for understanding.” DeYoung’s broader critique—that the Hall often waits until artists are incapacitated or have passed away—echoed frustrations felt by many in the music community. “Joe Cocker, Warren Zevon et al are suddenly eligible decades after their success? Explain that, what’s changed except the Hall’s inability to let go of their clear prejudices and induct them?” DeYoung asked, as per his Facebook post.
The night also included recognition for White Stripes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, and a host of behind-the-scenes luminaries, with the late Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye receiving the Musical Excellence Award. Despite the ongoing debates over who gets in and when, English professor Bryon Turman offered a reminder of music’s deeper power: “The music was ‘legitimate’ way before the Hall took notice…those of us who are old enough…understand that hip-hop has been a powerful and important art form.”
For all the glitz, glamour, and controversy, the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony stood as a complex, moving celebration of music’s ability to unite, inspire, and evolve—sometimes belatedly, but always indelibly.
