Jay Z to Become First-Ever Rapper in Songwriters Hall of Fame
Photos by Nicholas Hunt/Getty, Jamie McCarthy/Getty
H to the Izzo, Hova’s in the hall now.
Today (Wednesday), the Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its 2017 inductee class that includes: Berry Gordy, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Max Martin, producer duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Chicago’s Robert Lamm, James Pankow and Peter Cetera, and Mr. Carter himself, Jay Z.
With the announcement, Jay Z becomes the first hip-hop artist to make it into the hall—not only is Hov the first hip-hop artist to make it into the hall, he’s the first to even be nominated. Songwriters become eligible for the hall after writing for at least 20 years and Jay’s classic Reasonable Doubt dropped in 1996.
The official ceremony takes place on June 5. Today’s announcement likely signals that Jay will eventually make it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, though that particular hall is still stuck in late-’80s hip-hop, so it might be a minute.
To celebrate, enjoy the eternally great “Big Pimpin’,” and watch Nile Rodgers of Chic announce Jigga’s induction on CBS This Morning beneath that.
“He has changed the way we listen to music.” —@NileRodgers on Jay Z becoming first rapper inducted into 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame #SHOFpic.twitter.com/rHISmBLRcp
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 22, 2017