Janet Jackson, NWA, Cheap Trick lead Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations

NEW YORK, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 15 nominees for 2016 including Janet Jackson, N.W.A., The Smiths and Nine Inch Nails.

The other nominees, all eligible this year because they released their first song or album during or before 1990, include rock bands the Cars, the Smiths, Cheap Trick, Chicago, and Yes.

Disco band Chic and the funk band behind the late James Brown, the J.B.'s, are also this year's nominees. Additional hopefuls include Chaka Khan, Mexican band Los Lobos, The Spinners, and Steve Miller.

This year marks Chic's tenth nomination for a spot in the Hall of Fame; it is the fourth nomination for rap group N.W.A.. Singer Janet Jackson, currently on a world tour to promote her upcoming album, is believed to be a frontrunner on this year's ballot.

Before the inductees are announced in December, fans are given the opportunity to vote alongside over 800 music industry professionals, historians and artists for whom they believe deserves an induction. Voting begins Oct. 8 and ends Dec. 9 on RockHall.com; the top five artists will receive a spot in the Hall during a ceremony held in New York in April 2016.