Jay Z could make history as the first rapper to enter the Songwriters Hall of Fame, following Thursday’s announcement that he is among the 24 nominees for the 2017 cycle. A rapper has never before been nominated for the honour.
He is joined by fellow nominees Madonna, Bryan Adams, George Michael, Gloria Estefan, Cat Stevens, funk pioneer Sylvester “Sly Stone” Stewart, as well Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Swedish hitmaker Max Martin.
PF Sloan, who passed away in 2015, received a posthumous nod. He is a pop-rock songwriter best known for his work with Barry McGuire, Johnny Rivers and Herman’s Hermits.
Songwriters become eligible for induction into the organisation after having a songwriting career that spans at least 20 years.
Jay Z released his debut album Reasonable Doubt in 1996. He has since piled up credits under his given name of Shawn Carter on the hit songs Hard Knock Life, Empire State of Mind, and ’03 Bonnie & Clyde, his duet with wife Beyonce. His most recent record, Magna Carta Holy Grail, was released in 2013.
Eligible members can vote for two performing songwriters and three non-performing ones through to December 16. The chosen group of five individual writers or writing teams will be inducted in a ceremony in June.
Former inductees include Stevie Wonder, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Keith Richards and Dolly Parton.
