#BBB NEWS| Jay Z Becomes First Rapper Nominated For Induction Into Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame

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.”