CLEVELAND, OHIO (SMI-GLOBAL-ENTERTAINMENT APRIL 27-November 08, 2025)-The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation unveiled last April 27, its 2025 Class of Inductees of world-class pioneers, Icons and music legends who have contributed in the evolution of sound of Rock & Roll.

The announcement was delivered live on ABC by Ryan Seacrest on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame episode of “American Idol,” setting the stage for a sensational & global celebration of the music’s highest honor on Nov 08, in Los Angeles. 

“Each of these inductees created their own sound and attitude that had a profound impact on culture and helped to change the course of Rock & Roll forever,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Their music gave a voice to generations and influenced countless artists that followed in their footstep. 

The 40th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 8, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. 


Performer Category

OUTKAST

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Outkast was a hip-hop duo formed by two 16-years old Big Boi (Antwan Patton) and André 3000 (André Benjamin,)  from Atlanta, Georgia in 1992. They are known for pioneering and popularizing Southern Hip Hop to the national stage with their debut album "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" that gained popularity with its single "Player Ball" who reached the atop of Billboard rap Songs chart and for their genre-bending musical style that mix funk, sound, psychedelia & gospel,  and unique and detailed lyrics that brought them to commercial success with the hit singles " Hey Ya!"  and "Ms. Jackson"

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Outkast's next two albums 1996’s ATLiens and 1998’s Aquemini  both received a critical acclaimed producing some of the Duo's most critically acclaimed songs "Atliens"" Rosa Parks' & "SpottieOttieDopaliscious". 

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 Their fourth album achieved mainstream recognition with Stankonia (2000), which was supported by the singles Electro-influence  "B.O.B." and "Ms. Jackson", the latter of which topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts and won Best Rap single by a Duo or Group at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards.​​

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 Outkast would reach new heights with the release of 2003’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The album earned a Grammy for Album of the Year as well as yielding two Number One hits – “The Way You Move” and the ubiquitous “Hey Ya!”   

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The duo then released the double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003), their only album to debut atop the Billboard 200. It received Diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), supported by the number one singles "The Way You Move" (performed by Big Boi) and "Hey Ya!" (performed by André 3000), winning Album of the Year at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards.

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Outkast were considered widely as one of the greatest and most influential hip-hop acts of all time

achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s.​In addition on being one of the hip-hop's most influential artists, Outkast is also considered one of the most successful duo having sold over 20 million records with six studio albums and having earned six Grammy Awards.

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Discography:

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994)

ATLiens (1996)

Aquemini (1998)

Stankonia (2000)

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)

Idlewild 92006)

 

Inductees: André 3000 (André Benjamin) and Big Boi (Antwan Patton)  

To be eligible, artists are required to have released their first record 25 years prior to Induction. Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Bad Company, and Outkas of the Performer category inductees were on the ballot for the first time, while Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes have all been nominated before.


Article Written by Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated