Jay-Z has just made history being the first-ever rapper to receive a nomination from Songwriters Hall of Fame organization in its nearly 50 years of existence. The prestigious award-giving body announced the list of its Class of 2017 nominees last week, one day ahead of its official announcement.
The "Empire of State" rapper is considered for the honor alongside 12 performing songwriters and 12 non-performing ones. Some of the artists nominated are Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Babyface, Kool & the Gang, Max Martin, Vince Gill and Bryan Adams.
The Hall of Fame has been proclaiming and recognizing composers and lyricists who create a remarkable impact on the world through music and lyrics since 1969.
Shawn Corey Carter in real life, who is also commonly known as Hov, released his debut album, "Reasonable Doubt," in 1996. The album is named one of the 500 best albums of all time by Rolling Stone, having 13 singles of the album climbed all the way to the top of Billboard charts. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of this premiere album, the Reasonable Doubt pop-up shop and exhibition has been set up in New York this week, which fans have happily frequented.
Jay-Z's other albums such as "The Blueprint" (2001) and "The Black Album" (2003) are considered important landmarks in the rap and hip-hop genres and also part of the Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 greatest albums of all time list. He was also revealed on the 88th spot of the greatest artists of all time by the same publication.
Eligible members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame organization can vote for two performing songwriters and three non-performing composers until December 2016. Five songwriters or groups will be officially inducted at a gala in New York on June 15, 2017. If inducted, Jay-Z will be the first rap artist to receive the honor as well.
Aside from being a well-acclaimed rapper and lyricist, Jay-Z is also a successful businessman as he is one of the co-owners of the New York 40/40 Club sports bar and co-creator of the Rocawear clothing line. He is Def Jam Recordings' former president, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records and the founder of the entertainment company Roc Nation. He is also the founder of Roc Nations Sports agency, making him a certified NBA and MLB sports agent.
Billboard named him the tenth most successful artists of the 2000s in 2009, as well as top solo male artist and fourth top rapper of the list. He is known as one of the wealthiest and most successful rappers today.
