Whitney Houston, The Notorious B.I.G. Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

By N. Jamiyla Chisholm Jan 15, 2020

Iconic rapper The Notorious B.I.G. and pop legend Whitney Houston were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020, the organization announced Wednesday (January 15). The two superstars are the only artists of color in the latest class.

Houston, who died in 2012, was described on the Hall of Fame‘s website as a singer whose “accomplishments in music were unparalleled.” Apparently she still has a hold on the industry, considering she’s the only woman to make the 2020 cut out of 16 nominees, beating out Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, which was nominated for the fourth time, according to The New York Times

The Notorious B.I.G., the Brooklyn rapper also known as Biggie Smalls, joined the class after being nominated just once. The Hall of Fame notes that his singles “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems,” released after his 1997 murder, made him the first artist to receive multiple posthumous number ones and many consider him the greatest of his generation. 

The 35th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be broadcast live on HBO on May 2. Performances and special guests have not yet been announced.

Watch a video of the announcement below, courtesy of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: