Countless musicians over the years have had their music entered into the Library of Congress. It’s an honor that acknowledges artists’ contributions to American culture over the years. In 2022, Queen, Journey, and the Wu-Tang Clan are among the inductees into the hallowed institution.
Queen, Journey, and Wu-Tang Clan are being added to the Library of Congress
In 2000, the Library of Congress created its National Recording Registry as a way of preserving audio recordings that have had a large impact on American culture. Every year, the Registry archives 25 culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant pieces of recorded music and other audio recordings for others to learn about. These “audio treasures” are “worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.” To qualify, the songs, albums, or spoken word recordings must be at least 10 years old. The National Recording Preservation Board determines the final list of 25 entrants.
2022 saw the induction of several beloved artists and their music. Among them are two iconic hip-hop albums: Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and A Tribe Called Quest‘s The Low End Theory.
The Library of Congress will also be memorializing two classic rock anthems: Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
Other 2022 inductees include Ricky Martin, Alicia Keys, Nat King Cole, and Franklin D. Roosevelt
Queen and Journey are just two iconic names that will join the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2022.
Some of the modern-day inductees include Ricky Martin’s hit 1999 single “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” Alicia Keys‘ 2001 debut album Songs in A Minor, and Buena Vista Social Club’s self-titled album.
Beloved music icons of the past also are joining the Library of Congress this year. Duke Ellington’s 1956 album Ellington at Newport, Nat King Cole’s ubiquitous single “The Christmas Song,” and the Four Tops’ “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” are all being archived into the Registry. Other musical inductees include Linda Ronstadt’s 1987 album Canciones de Mi Padre and Bonnie Raitt’s 1989 album Nick of Time.
On top of musical contributions, the Library of Congress is also entering several other recordings that have had a significant impact on American life. This includes the entirety of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidential speeches and WNYC’s broadcasts from the day of September 11, 2001.
Nas and Janet Jackson were inducted in 2021
It may seem long overdue for artists like Queen and Journey to be given the honor of being in the Library of Congress. But in reality, many music icons’ contributions have received this recognition years after their release.
In 2021, for example, the Library of Congress archived influential albums such as Nas’ 1994 debut Illmatic and Janet Jackson’s earth-shattering album Rhythm Nation 1814.
