Jay Z Becomes First Rapper Chosen for Songwriters Hall of Fame

Jay Z has just hit another career milestone, as he just became the first rapper chosen for the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The 2017 inductees were announced this morning, with Jay being nominated alongside music legends including Max Martin, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Berry Gordy and three members of Chicago.

Nile Rodgers, who was inducted just last year, announced the winners this morning, and was especially happy to announce Jay Z as an inductee.

"[He] was in a space where, even though he's had more pop albums than anyone else, because he did it through rap," and it therefore took traditional voters longer to consider him, Rodgers told CBS This Morning. "It's massive. He has changed the way that we listen to music. He's changed the way that we have fun."

Jay's induction aside, this is obviously a masterclass of songwriters who are being honored this year.

"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," said Hall co-chairs Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and President Linda Moran, according to Billboard. "The songwriters we honor cross genre, 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."

Watch Rodgers announce the winners below.