Jay Z Becomes First Rapper Nominated For Induction Into Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame

Photo: Getty Images

Thursday’s Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame nominations were a historic one 

for the hip-hop community, as it was announced that Jay Z is up for induction 

into the Class of 2017. This nomination makes the Jigga Man the first rap 

artist nominated for the honor in the history of the music organization.

According to USA Today, artists become eligible for a nomination after 20 years 

in the music business. Jay Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt, was released in 

1996. Since then, he’s gone on to pen for Beyonce, Missy Elliott, Kanye West 

and Memphis Bleak and has won 21 Grammy Awards, among many other accolades 

and honors.

Other artists nominated for the award include Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Vince Gill, 

Bryan Adams, Kool & the Gang, George Michael, and Sylvester “Sly” Stone. 

Non-performing artists who are nominated for the Class of 2017 include Max 

Martin, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Babyface.

“Eligible members can vote for two performing songwriters and three 

non-performing ones until Dec. 16,” reports the publication of the voting 

process. “The final group of five individual writers or writing teams will be 

inducted in a ceremony to be held in New York on June 15.”