The show is filled with special performances, acceptance speeches, spoken-word tributes, and video presentations honoring the inductees.
Willie Nelson performed at his own Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, joined by Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, and fellow inductee Sheryl Crow. Together, Nelson and the others played “Whiskey River,” “Crazy,” and “On the Road Again.”
Sheryl Crow then joined Nelson for “Crazy,” which he wrote in 1961. Patsy Cline originally made the song famous that year, catapulting Nelson to a record deal in 1962. Crow came out in a flowing maroon dress, singing seated next to Nelson. Behind them on the screen was a photo of Nelson in the 1960s, before he established his signature style. When he started out, he was more clean-cut and slicked back, and wore a smart suit. He relaxed into his look over the years, and still sports long braids and a red bandana even when getting inducted into a Hall of Fame.
I’m still pinching myself to even be in a room with some of the inductees. I see Flavor Flav, who is a legend. I love you, always been supportive. Elton John, legendary. Sheryl Crow, Chaka Khan, Willie Nelson. All of these people have impacted people around the world through their music. Sometimes I be like, do people really realize,
“Words cannot describe,” she said when asked for her thoughts about the honor. “It just hasn’t clicked.” She shared that as a hip-hop artist, being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame “seemed so far out of reach.” The Hall of Fame is a prestigious honor for artists and one that celebrates a successful, expansive body of work. Elliott is finally eligible to be inducted, as it’s been at least 25 years since the release of her first record.
That would be Supa Dupa Fly from 1997, which featured the singles “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” “Sock It 2 Me,” “Hit Em wit da Hee,” and “Beep Me 911.” It was a testament to Elliott’s talents, but also to the talents of her friends; the album had features from Busta Rhymes, Lil Kim, Magoo, Aaliyah, Ginuwine, and Da Brat.
Another close friend of Elliott’s will be introducing her at the induction ceremony: Queen Latifah, who Elliott said she’s known for 20 years. “She’s somebody that, like I said, ‘come before me, open that door, left it open,'” said Elliott. “And I owe so many flowers, bouquets. It’s not enough bouquets for those women that came before me. And she’s one of those women.”
