The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced its 2017 inductees and Jay Z, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and The Time’s Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are among this year’s recepients.
Jay Z will become the first Hip-Hop artist inducted into the The Songwriters Hall of Fame and will also be joined by Max Martin; Motown founder Berry Gordy (who deferred his induction last year); Robert Lamm, James Pankow and Peter Cetera of Chicago.
SHOF co-chairs Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and President Linda Moran released a statement saying,
“With our 2017 roster of inductees, the Songwriters Hall of Fame moves definitively into recognizing music creators of the 21st century while continuing to honor the greats of earlier decades. The combination of contemporary sounds and timeless hits of the past is certain to make for an unforgettable evening.
The songwriters we honor cross genres, regional and even national boundaries – R & B, Rap, Pop and Rock & Roll from both coasts, the American heartland and Sweden. We are thrilled to once more have the opportunity to preside over an event that recognizes the convergence of song craft and musical performance at the very highest level.”
Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) serves as a vital bridge between music’s past and future. In the Hall, musical pioneers are enshrined and celebrated, while the organization’s outreach to the music community grooms the next generation of troubadours.
The induction ceremony will take place Thursday, June 15, in New York at the Marriott Marquis Hotel.
