2017 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Nominations: Sly Stone, Jay Z, Babyface & More

The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced their 2017 nominees earlier today (Thursday).

In a report from the Associated Press the list of nominees include: Sly Stone, Jay Z, Babyface, Madonna, George Michael and many others.

The nomination for Jay Z is a big deal though. If inducted, Jay Z would become the first rapper to enter the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Songwriters are eligible for induction after 20 years of writing popular music; Jay Z released his debut album Reasonable Doubt in 1996, and has launched multiple hits in the last two decades, from "Big Pimpin'" to "Empire State of Mind."

The news also comes when Roc-A-Fella records co founder Kareem “Biggs” Burke, is creating a pop shop based off the studio where Jay Z recorded parts of Reasonable Doubt.

A replica of the studio is opening in New York, with the exhibition and pop up taking place from October 20 to 23. Titled the Roc96, the exhibit will be a replica of the Studio B Control Room at D&D Studios, which closed in 2014.

The Reasonable Doubt pop up will feature a number of items for purchase including scarves; wooden headphones with the 20th anniversary logo; Reasonable Doubt turntables; "Can’t Knock The Hustle" duffle bags and more.

The voting for the Songwriters Hall of Fame will take place through December 16, and five songwriters will be inducted at the ceremony in June. Check out the full list of the nominees for the Songwriters Hall of Fame below.

George Michael

Madonna

Bryan Adams

Vince Gill

Babyface

Max Martin

Kool and the Gang

Cat Stevens

Sly Stone

Chicago

Gloria Estefan

Jeff Lynne

David Gates

Kenny Nolan

Randy Goodrum

Tony Macaulay

William "Mickey" Stevenson

Allee Willis

Maury Yeston

Paul Overstreet

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham

Steve Barri and P.F. Sloan