The rapper Jay Z has been recognized for his and influential songwriting by being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He becomes the hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Hall. The Hall's is to, "preserve, honor and celebrate the of the great songwriters whose work has enriched the world’s ". Jay Z's real name is Shawn Carter. He grew up in a area of New York, where he went to school with future rappers The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes. He got into hip-hop and became one of the -selling musicians of all time. He has sold more than 100 million worldwide. He is also a successful businessman and owns an upmarket sports bar in New York and the music service Tidal.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama inducted Jay Z into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Obama expressed his for Jay Z, saying: "Like all of you, I am a , and I've been listening to Jay Z since I was a young and state senator. I'm sure I'm still the only president to listen to Jay Z's music in the [White House]." Mr Obama said Jay Z should also be considered a " American original" for his to rap and American culture. He called Jay Z the "greatest rapper of all ". Jay Z's music publisher Jon Platt accepted the on his behalf. He said: "[Jay Z] would tell up-and-coming hip-hop today that there can be no or question that you are indeed songwriters."
