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Jay Z may have 99 problems, but being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame ain't one.
It was announced Wednesday that the 47 year old would be the first rapper to ever make the Hall of Fame, which makes sense given his 21 Grammy Awards for hits like “Empire State of Mind” featuring Alicia Keys, “Umbrella” featuring Rihanna, and “N***as In Paris,” featuring Kanye West.
Chic's guitarist Nile Rodgers made the announcement on "CBS This Morning," saying that Jay Z "was in a space where, even though he's had more pop albums than anyone else, because he did it through rap. It took longer for traditional voters to consider him. It's massive. He has changed the way that we listen to music. He's changed the way that we have fun."
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The other inductees chosen for the prestigious honor include Max Martin, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Berry Gordy, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and three members of Chicago.
Warner/Chappell Chairman & CEO Jon Platt sent his staff a memo following the announcement, praising Jay Z for his accomplishment.
"Since his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, was released over two decades ago,” Platt wrote, “it's been an incredible honor to work with the greatest MC of all time as he continues to achieve the unprecedented. Today, his songwriting is celebrated with a new, landmark achievement: being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. With this announcement, Jay is also the first rap artist to ever be inducted into the SHOF. This is an enormous accomplishment for Jay, as well as on behalf of fellow hip-hop songwriters everywhere, as he takes his place alongside past inductees and legends, ranging from Bob Dylan to Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye to Lennon & McCartney."
The Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner will be held in New York City on June 5.
