My vote selections for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2025

This morning the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced their nominees for the 2025 induction class. Check the list of nominees and vote for your favorites. I've picked 3 artists/bands. My choices were based not just on their music but also on how they inspired my own creativity and design. For my first Rock Hall vote, I chose artists whose personal stories connect to their nominations. They use limited tools, tell stories that shaped a genre, and reinvent themselves with each album. These artists have greatly influenced culture and I am excited to share my perspectives below.

My first selection is undoubtedly one of the biggest rock acts of the early 2000s, and intriguingly, they achieved this incredible status while only having two members within their group. The White Stripes are now officially first-year eligible for the prestigious induction class, and I would truly be doing myself a disservice if I did not take the opportunity to cast my vote in their favor. Jack and Meg are the very first band I really latched on to during my formative years, and this connection is largely due to their unwavering commitment to their unique identity. The striking Red, White, and Black color scheme, along with the charming naivety of their performances, masterfully blends razor-sharp precision with raw grit. The White Stripes stand as a prime example of talented sculptors of their craft, rising above conventional norms. Jack White possesses a profound understanding of creative vision, and he skillfully works out vast landscapes teeming with sound and innovative concepts, all while confining himself: whether by an intentional color scheme or limited instrumentation. White truly is an expert at taking the tools at his disposal—tools that many might deem merely adequate—to create stunning masterpieces instead of relying on excuses for mediocrity.

Next on my ballot submission is a group I am the least familiar with of all my picks, but I know just enough of their cultural significance and impactful music to confidently cast my vote. Outkast, yet another extraordinary two-person group, is undoubtedly one of the most talented hip hop acts in the entire history of the genre. Their stronghold on pop culture throughout the vibrant 1990s and the early 2000s is for a good reason. The remarkable balance of lyrical acrobatics and irresistibly catchy instrumentals, paired with their cinematic music videos that always leaned more toward the surreal rather than the standard, consistently set them into a league all by themselves. Their unique ability to weave together both powerful wordplay and captivating narratives while remaining approachably relatable is something I strive for in my own creative endeavors.

Last but certainly not least is a legendary band that significantly helped shape an entire genre and ultimately put Seattle firmly on the map as a vibrant music Mecca. Soundgarden, fronted by the extraordinarily talented and late Chris Cornell, holds a deeply personal connection for me in my artist selections, particularly due to Cornell's untimely passing, which still resonates strongly. I was incredibly fortunate enough to attend Soundgarden's second to last show before Chris tragically passed away, and I can confidently say they captured their art in live performance in uniquely compelling ways I have not encountered since. Their thoughtfully simplified stage design perfectly elevated their music, striking a balance that ensured the focus remained on the raw energy and sound of the band’s gritty instrumentals, alongside Chris’ inhumanly powerful and emotive vocals. On the note of Chris Cornell’s suicide, he is included in my deeply fulfilling project titled Portraits for Prevention. Fine art print Cards are available on my store and 25% of the proceeds go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The relationship music and visual art have with one another transcends any other pairing on the very biased personal note. A band’s ability to truly influence life’s trajectory is indescribable. I am thrilled to have stumbled on the opportunity to vote for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2025 and really cherish my ability to voice the reasons behind my choices.