The queen of pop together with Beastie Boys, hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen, and others have been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction this year.

Out of a total of nine artists considered for the inclusion, only five will make the cut at the induction ceremony in New York on March 12, 2008. The five finalists will be announced in January. The nominees were chosen by a committee of more than 600 music experts.

In order to be considered for this year’s induction, an artist must have issued their first single or LP no later than 1982. Madonna released her first song "Everybody," on April 24, 1982 after having signed with Sire Records.

Beastie Boys who began their musical career as a punk rock band, Young Aborigines, spiced up their style by moving into hip hop and creating hits such as "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right to Party." Beastie Boys will be releasing an instrumental album later this year.

Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 1995 and has since been the home for the celebration and study of rock and roll music, according to the official website. So far, artists like James Brown, The Beach Boys, Muddy Waters, Johnny Cash, Cream, The Police, Fleetwood Mac, U2, The Sex Pistols, Black Sabbath and Blondie have been inducted.

Last year’s inductees include REM, Grandmaster Flash, Patti Smith, Van Halen and the Furious Five.