Jay Z Curates Rap Songwriting Hall of Fame Playlist Featuring OutKast, Eminem and More
Jay Z celebrated his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame by creating an exclusive Tidal playlist. The veteran MC selected 15 tracks to highlight some of the hip-hop artists he believes should also be in the Hall of Fame.
The song selections include cuts by OutKast, Eminem, N.W.A, Eric B. and Rakim, Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Nas, Lauryn Hill, Tupac, Mos Def, The Notorious B.I.G. and Kanye West. OutKast, Eminem and Lauryn Hill each have two songs featured on the playlist.
Chic’s Niles Rodgers announced Jay’s induction yesterday (Feb. 22) during an appearance on CBS This Morning. The veteran musician also spoke about hip-hop’s long overdue inclusion in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
“The truth is the revolutionary people who come up with the next level of classical music are always the ones that go ‘Hmm, can I do this?’ and you do it,” Rodgers said. So, Jay Z was in a space where even though he’s had more pop albums than anyone else, he did it through rap, which is not traditionally considered part of the normal pop music scene.”
Jay commented on his induction via Twitter. The Brooklyn rhymer said it was victory for all of hip-hop.
“By the way, this is a win for US,” he wrote. “I remember when rap was said to be a fad. We are now alongside some of the greatest writers in history.”
Jay is part of a class that includes Babyface, Berry Gordy, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, members of the group Chicago and Max Martin. Check out his Tidal playlist below.
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