Legendary hip-hop act Run-DMC are among the nine nominees vying for a chance to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The '80s rap trio will battle it out with Metallica, the Stooges, Bobby Womack, Jeff Beck, Chic, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Wanda Jackson, and War. Only five of the aforementioned acts will be chosen in January.

Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and the late Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell introduced rap to the masses with the commercial success of their 1986 album, 'Raising Hell,' which spawned the hits 'My A.D.I.D.A.S.,' 'It's Tricky' and 'Walk This Way,' featuring Aerosmith. Fellow pioneers Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five made hip-hop history when they were inducted in 2007, marking the first time a rap act was enshrined in the HOF.

The ceremony, which is returning to Cleveland after a 12 year absence, will be open to the public for the first time when it takes place on April 4, 2009.