The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2025 Induction Ceremony lit up Cleveland with a celebration that bridged generations, genres, and groundbreaking artistry. The star-studded evening honored a powerhouse class of inductees, including Cyndi Lauper, OutKast, Salt-N-Pepa, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Ozzy Osbourne, and Cher, among others.
Hosted at the Hall’s main venue, the night opened with electrifying performances and heartfelt tributes. Cyndi Lauper, inducted by pop singer Chappell Roan, delivered one of the evening’s most emotional speeches, thanking the women who paved the way before her and those who continue to redefine music today. “I stand on the shoulders of the women who came before me,” Lauper said. “And my shoulders are broad enough for the next generation to stand on mine.” Her performance lineup—featuring “True Colors”, “Time After Time” with Raye, and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” with Avril Lavigne and Salt-N-Pepa—brought the crowd to its feet.
OutKast’s induction was equally electric. Introduced by Donald Glover, who praised the duo’s fearless innovation, both André 3000 and Big Boi reflected on their Atlanta roots and creative evolution. “We’re in the company of legends we grew up admiring,” André told the audience. The tribute set featured Tyler, the Creator, Doja Cat, Janelle Monáe, and JID, who performed an energetic medley of “Hey Ya!”, “Ms. Jackson”, and “B.O.B.” before Big Boi joined in to close the segment.
Trailblazing rap trio Salt-N-Pepa made history as one of the few all-female hip-hop acts to be inducted. Their speech was a passionate reminder of their fight for equality in a male-dominated industry. “This is for every woman who picked up a mic when they told her she couldn’t,” Cheryl “Salt” James declared. The pair followed with a high-energy performance of “Push It” that transformed the ceremony into a dance party.
Soundgarden’s induction carried a more emotional tone, as surviving members paid tribute to the late Chris Cornell with a moving performance introduced by Jim Carrey.
Throughout the night, the ceremony emphasized unity, evolution, and the enduring power of music to break barriers. From Lauper’s activism to OutKast’s genre-defying artistry and Salt-N-Pepa’s message of empowerment, the 2025 ceremony stood as a vivid reminder that rock and roll continues to evolve—and its soul remains as defiant and diverse as ever.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 Inductees Exhibit, featuring artifacts and memorabilia from this year’s honorees, is now open to the public in Cleveland.
