Years after their deaths, Whitney Houston and The Notorious B.I.G. could be enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year.

Houston, described by many as the greatest singer of her generation, and legendary rapper B.I.G., whose real name was Christopher Wallace, are among nine first-time nominees and 16 overall under consideration for induction for the 35th annual Hall of Fame ceremony in Cleveland in May, the Rock Hall announced Tuesday.

Joining Houston and B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls, as first-time nominees are the Dave Matthews Band, the Doobie Brothers, Motörhead, Pat Benatar, Soundgarden, T. Rex and Thin Lizzy.

Returning nominees include Depeche Mode, Judas Priest, Kraftwerk, MC5, Nine Inch Nails, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan and Todd Rundgren.

German band Kraftwerk, described in its nomination biography as "the foundation upon which all synthesizer-based rock and electronic dance music is built," is under consideration for the sixth time, while MC5 (short for Motor City 5), a '60s band known for its garage-rock anthems, is a five-time nominee.

More:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2019: Stevie Nicks, Janet Jackson and more highlights

More:The Rock Hall finally got it right – thanks to its legendary 2019 class

To be eligible for nomination, an artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years before the year of nomination.

The nominations for Houston and B.I.G. honor artists who both died young. Houston, a superstar singing diva, was 48 when she drowned in a Beverly Hills hotel bathtub in 2012. B.I.G., a rapper from Brooklyn, was just 24 when he was killed in a drive-by shooting in 1997.

After the nominees are announced, ballots will be sent to more than 1,000 artists, historians and members of the music industry, who will consider an act's career work, influence on other artists, innovation and skill as they vote.

More:Whitney Houston hologram tour, new album in the works

More:See the best tributes to Notorious B.I.G. on the 20th anniversary of his death

Fans can vote through Jan. 10. Cast a ballot on Google by searching “Rock Hall Fan Vote” or any nominee name plus “vote.” Or visit rockhall.com or the Hall of Fame museum in Cleveland. The top five choices will comprise a "fans' ballot" that will be counted with the other ballots.

Those gaining induction will be announced in January. Induction Week, which features a special dedication of the 2020 inductee exhibit along with other celebratory events and activities, will lead up to the induction ceremony May 2 at Cleveland's Public Auditorium.