CHICAGO, IL – JULY 22: (EXCLUSIVE ACCESS, SPECIAL RATES APPLY) Rapper Jay Z attends the Jay Z and D’USSE Cognac Host The Official Legends of the Summer After Party at Lumen on July 22, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images)
After over 100 million records sold, 21 Grammys, and countless classic songs and albums Jay Z is becoming the first rapper ever inducted into the Songwriter Hall Of Fame. Jay Z’s nomination for The Songwriter Hall Of Fame was back in October of 2016 and as of Feb. 22nd 2017 it has been announced that he will be inducted in The Hall along with Berry Gordy, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, & Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds.
Hopefully this opens the doors for more Hip-Hop artist to be recognized for their songwriting abilities in the near future. It is quite ironic that the first rapper ever given this honor doesn’t even write his rhymes down. The incredible songwriting method that Jay Z uses be memorizing his rhymes line for line in his head without writing it down makes this honor even more impressive. It is said that the last song that Jay Z put pen to pad to compose was “Can I Live” on his 1996 debut album “Reasonable Doubt” and that was because he was running short on time.
Many Hip-Hop artist tend to claim they don’t write their rhymes down (especially since Jay Z and Biggie started proclaiming that was their method) but those artist don’t have songs that go lyrically in depth like a “Streets Is Watching”, “Meet The Parents”, “Song Cry”, “Girls, Girls, Girls”, etc. Many of the rappers that make the claim that they don’t write their lyrics down don’t follow a consistent song format of writing or consistent story like Jay Z does. One of Jay Z’s greatest gifts as a songwriter is his ability to be conversational. Jay Z’s style has changed a lot over the years but one thing that has remanded consistent from Reasonable Doubt all the way up to today is his ability to be conversational. You can listen to a Jay Z song and feel like he is talking to you straight up. The power of Jay Z songs such as “U Don’t Know”, “Imaginary Player”, “Gangsta Sh**”, “Never Change”, etc. are their conversational pull. And when you factor Jay Z makes music that you can jam to as well without compromising his lyrical standards too much for the dance floor presenting him with this honor is a no brainer. Congratulations Jay Z.
JUST ANNOUNCED: @NileRodgers reveals 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees. @SongwritersHOF #SHOF pic.twitter.com/46fbJQcZIL
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 22, 2017
Shawn 'Jay Z' Carter has become the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame! #SHOF pic.twitter.com/OgNaIpbaXs
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 22, 2017
“He has changed the way we listen to music.” —@NileRodgers on Jay Z becoming first rapper inducted into 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame #SHOF pic.twitter.com/rHISmBLRcp
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 22, 2017
