The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame makes way for the exciting new 2017 nominees and Lugo wants to know, “Why is Tupac being nominated?”. This year a total of nineteen artists were nominated including Tupac Shakur a surprise first time nominee who was also eligible. Nominees this year fall into the genres of Post-Punk, Hip-Hop, Punk, Folk, Funk, Electric Music and Classic Rock.

To be eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame it needs to be 25 years after the release of the artists’ first record and the artist must have demonstrated “unquestionable musical excellence and talent.”  For the 2016 nominees they must have released their first album no later than 1991, and this year Tupac reached that criteria with the release of his very first album “2Pacalyspse Now” from 1991. Tupac continues to influence the music that many people including Don Lugo students enjoy today because he was an artist who was able to weave “philosophy and literature out of words”.

When people think of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame they think of “Rock and Roll” the genre. However, to many “Rock and Roll” is more than just a genre it is also a concept and that is exactly why Tupac Shakur is being nominated for a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because he symbolizes “Rock and Roll” and everything it stands for. Carolyn Tellez, a student from Don Lugo says, “I like to listen to Hip-Hop and I have seen Tupac’s influence in the genre, but hearing that Tupac is nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is amazing because it shows how influential he is and not just in Hip-Hop and I think that makes him pretty rock and roll.”

The entire nomination process is open to public, all voters are able to cast their votes until Dec. 5. The inductees will be announced later that month. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee ceremony will be taking place in April, all official dates are soon to be announced.