Of the many subgenres that came out of the 80’s, Dream Pop was the basic merging of Ambient sounds with Post Punk. The Scottish group, Cocteau Twins was one of the first to be associated with that genre and as such created atmospheric music that was stylish and hypnotic. Their Dream Pop style that they perfected would prove to be one of their more influential subgenres of 80’s Alternative music and has been credited with inspiring the Shoegazing sound of the early 90’s. Like others on this list, their influence did not translate into the United States, and as such enshrinement is not even a remote possibility.

The trend of artists on this list who struggles to find airplay on radio continues with Steve Earle. With the main exception of Copperhead Road, Earle’s music was too Country for Rock stations, and the songs that sounded Country enough were laden with leftist politics which generally does not fit the traditional Country audience. At his core, he is a basic American Roots Rocker who although the parallels that he gets to Bruce Springsteen are not completely unjustified, he may always struggle to find one tenth of Bruce’s audience.  

As one of the fathers of Gangsta Rap; Ice-T helped usher in a new musical sub genre. Rapping about issues that concerned the life in the South Central ghetto, Ice-T’s raps were as deep as they were intense and regardless of his subject matter he always came across as cerebral. Musically, he was one of the first to blend Rap with Metal with his work with Body Count. Ice-T may have been one of the more controversial figures in the early commercial Rap world, but he was one if it’s best. With Grandmaster Flash and Run D.M.C. in, it is only a matter of time before a third gets in. Could Ice-T be the third?

With the Alternative boom in the 90’s, other forms of music got a more mainstream look. Metal fans were no different, and White Zombie gained more exposure as some fans were looking for something a little different. With White Zombie they founded the darkest elements of Horror imagery come to life with a pulsating Metal edge. Their leader, Rob Zombie has remained in the public eye (though not musically) and despite his solo efforts, White Zombie as a group would be the best shot for Zombie.

The Bullet Points:

Eligible Since:

2010

Country of Origin:

U.S.A. (New York City)

Nominated In:

Never

NIHOF’s Favorite Album:

La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol 1 (1992)

NIHOF’s Favorite Song:

Thunder Kiss 65’ (From La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol 1, 1992)