Will the strength of street knowledge finally get acknowledged in the vaunted room of music royalty?

It’s been a question posed over and over again, especially during this time of year when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations are announced. So today (October 8) happens to be no different, as an eclectic roster of 2016 nominees have been unveiled with the following names:

1. Chicago

2. The Cars

3. Chaka Khan

4. Janet Jackson

5. Steve Miller

6. The Smiths

7. Nine Inch Nails

8. Chic

9. Los Lobos

10. Cheap Trick

11. Deep Purple

12. Yes.

13. The Spinners

14. The J.B.’s

15. N.W.A.

The icons Chaka Khan, Jackson, Cars, Miller, and Chicago make up the first-timers on the list of hopefuls, while NIN and Chic make their 10th appearance, respectively.

N.W.A., meanwhile, appear on the ballot for the third time. Despite the many dead ends in recent years, this year could see the group finally making the cut. Considering the explosive success this summer with the Hollywood biopic “Straight Outta Compton” and the group’s resurgence on the album charts (iTunes, Billboard), N.W.A. was omnipresent this year than ever before. So there’s a big chance they make it up in the lauded Hall of Fame.

Still, all in all, it’s up in the air. After all, the fact that Nine Inch Nails, for all they’ve done, still haven’t made the cut, even after running through 2013 with their eventual Hesitation Marks run, is one to wonder. At any rate, let’s hope Janet Jackson and Chaka Run overcome the odds.

Reacting to the nomination, Ice Cube of N.W.A. said the following:

“I am humbled by the nomination and recognition of NWA’s contribution to music and culture by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It has been an incredible year for us as a group, for our loyal fans and in helping us to all keep Eazy-E’s memory alive.”

The public is asked to cast a vote for their top five favorites, which will be included in the deciding fact for the inductees. Find out in December, who makes the cut for next year’s honorable class.