In news that you may or may not care about, the list of nominees for the 2013 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ("I went to Cleveland once," says no one) was released this morning. The list is actually quite eclectic, see for yourself: Rush, Donna Summer, Public Enemy, Procol Harum, N.W.A., Randy Newman, the Meters, Kraftwerk, Albert King, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the Marvelettes, Heart, Chic, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and Deep Purple.

The names that should pop out are Public Enemy and N.W.A. Last year when the Beastie Boys were enshrined, it made sense given their commercial success and rap-rock leanings. While the Public Enemy and N.W.A.'s influence on rap cannot be overstated, it does seem like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is beginning to understand that the era they're entering is one of rap prominence. It may have taken a while, but better late than never.

A mysterious pool of voters will induct a class from those 15 nominees -- more than 50% gets you in -- but this year there is also a fan ballot, although its true influence on the process seems negligible. We're guessing that at least one of the two rap groups will get in, with a class that includes Donna Summer, Randy Newman ("Short People," anyone?), and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Anytime you have one of the most iconic rock songs ever with a chorus that goes, "I love rock and roll," one would assume a Hall of Fame bid is a lock.

But let's be honest, the only reason anyone cares about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is because of the concert.



Who do you think should get in?