André 3000, Bono, Chance, Nicki, More Celebrate Jay Z
By Matthew Strauss.
Tonight, Jay Z enters the Songwriters Hall of Fame, becoming the first rapper ever inducted. To celebrate, Tidal has commissioned artists to share their thoughts on Jay’s storied career and the importance of his induction. Among the contributors are André 3000, Chance the Rapper, Nicki Minaj, Bono, Quincy Jones, Rakim, Jay Electronica, and Pharrell. In a video, Chance said, “I’m glad it’s him; Jay Z started this shit.” In a note, Bono called Jay the “archangel of hip” and “a true artist that follows Miles Davis’ definition of a true artist.” André wrote:
Jay Z’s contribution to music as a writer is pivotal. You can hear his wit and hustle stylings in the backbones of some of the biggest and respected artists of today. But even more importantly, he has verbally taught new generations how to understand their personal worth and create opportunities for others around them.
Find all their tributes here. The 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony begins tonight at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. The class of 2017 includes: includes Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Max Martin, and Robert Lamm, James Pankow, Peter Cetera of Chicago, and Berry Gordy, who deferred his induction from last year.
Read Pitchfork’s Sunday Review of Jay’s debut, Reasonable Doubt.
This story originally appeared on Pitchfork.
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