Successful businessman and 21-time Grammy award-winner honored by former U.S. President Obama.">
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News > World

Songwriter Hall of Fame Inducts Jay Z as First Rap Artist

  • Jay Z in concert, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, July 1, 2008

    Jay Z in concert, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, July 1, 2008 | Photo: Efe

Published 16 June 2017
Opinion

Successful businessman and 21-time Grammy award-winner honored by former U.S. President Obama.

Music phenomenon Jay Z has made history by becoming the first rap artist to be inducted in the Songwriter Hall of Fame at a ceremony in New York.

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He takes his place among other influential singers and songwriters including Elvis, Bob Marley and Oscar Hammerstein.

Introducing the award in a pre-recorded address, the former U.S. President Barack Obama said "I'm pretty sure I'm still the only president to listen to Jay Z's music in the Oval Office".

Born Shawn Carter, successful businessman, 21-time Grammy award winner and activist Jay Z has sold over 100 million records.

His music explores themes ranging from politics and prejudice to love and relationships.

Listed among his most popular tracks are “Empire State of Mind,” “Izzo (H.O.V.A),” “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” and “03 Bonnie & Clyde.”

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Hall of Fame co-chairs Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and President Linda Moran explained their decision to reward the rapper saying, "The songwriters we honor cross genre, regional and even national boundaries - RnB, Rap, Pop and Rock and Roll"

The award ceremony was a full house attended by Jay Z’s family, friends and his fellow artists.

But the guest of honor was not there.

Jay Z sent his regrets and asked his good friend and producer of 20 years, Jon Platt, to accept the award in his place.

The artist was unable to attend due family commitments — his wife Beyonce is expecting twins in the coming days.

Platt, Warner/Chappell Chairman and CEO , humbly took the stage offering gratitude to everyone who supported Jay Z on behalf of the singer.

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Jay Z echoed these sentiments from his home via Twitter, thanking all of the people who inspired him, saying "Salute to anybody who made a song to feed their family or just vent."

Platt explained the significance of this honor, touching on the fight for recognition endured by other hip-hop and rap artists.

He felt Jay Z would want to tell young up and coming artists that the time to succeed is now, to ignore criticism and not to make the mistake of questioning their skills or gifts.

“Jay would want you to know that as proud as he is to be the first, he’s even more proud that he won’t be the last ... On behalf of Jay, I thank you for this honor of a lifetime.”

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