JAY-Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’ To Be Inducted Into GRAMMY Hall Of Fame

Jay-Z is among the 2025 class of artists to have work inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame. The rapper’s debut album Reasonable Doubt will be recognized by the GRAMMY Museum and the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Gala on May 16, 2025, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.

Reasonable Doubt was released in 1996 and features Memphis Bleek, Mary J. Blige, Jaz-O, and the Notorious B.I.G.  DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody, and Clark Kent, contributed to the production. The album has been lauded as one of Hip-Hop’s greatest masterpieces.

“I think that’s the reason why it was so good, because it was more, like, effortless,” reflected DJ Clark Kent to SPIN during the album’s 20th anniversary year in 2016. “‘Yeah, we gon’ do it. We gon’ put this record out and we gon’ walk away.’ That’s what the plan was.”

Reasonable Doubt joins works from Big Star, Clara Ward, Eddie Floyd, Emmylou Harris, Fela Kuti & Afrika 70, Geeshie Wiley, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, J.D. Crowe & The New South, Linda Martell, and Luther Vandross with the pending special recognition.

“It’s a privilege to recognize these eclectic recordings as the 2025 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame inductees,” expressed Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy in a statement. “Music has the unique power to shape culture and mark moments in time. Each inducted recording reflects that spirit, and we’re excited to celebrate these impactful works, ensuring their legacies continue to inspire generations to come.” 

“The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame serves as a vital bridge between music’s past and present, honoring recordings that have left a lasting mark on our cultural landscape,” added Michael Sticka, President/CEO of the GRAMMY Museum. “We’re proud to preserve and share these influential works at the annual GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Gala this spring.” 

Take a look at the full list of inductees below.

**2025 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Inducted Recordings** 

#1 RECORD
Big Star 
Album 

“COLOR HIM FATHER” 
Linda Martell 
Single 

“CONGA” 
Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine 
Single 

“HOW I GOT OVER” 
Clara Ward 
Single 

J.D. CROWE & THE NEW SOUTH
J.D. Crowe & The New South 
Album 

“KNOCK ON WOOD” 
Eddie Floyd 
Single 

“LAST KIND WORDS BLUES” 
Geeshie Wiley 
Single 

NEVER TOO MUCH
Luther Vandross 
Album 

REASONABLE DOUBT
JAY-Z 
Album 

SUPERNATURAL
Santana 
Album 

TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN
Cat Stevens 
Album 

WRECKING BALL
Emmylou Harris 
Album

ZOMBIE
Fela Kuti & Afrika 70 
Album