APNewsBreak: Jay Z, Madonna nominated for Songwriters Hall

NEW YORK (AP) — Jay Z, one of contemporary music's most celebrated lyricists and entertainers, is among the nominees for the 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame, and if inducted, he would become the first rapper to enter the prestigious music organization.

The Songwriters Hall gave The Associated Press the list of nominees Thursday, a day ahead of its official announcement. Other performing nominees include George Michael, Madonna, Bryan Adams, Vince Gill, Kool & the Gang, Cat Stevens, Sly Stone, Chicago, Gloria Estefan, Jeff Lynne and David Gates.

Non-performing nominees are Babyface, Max Martin, Kenny Nolan, Randy Goodrum, Tony Macaulay, William "Mickey" Stevenson, Allee Willis, Maury Yeston, Paul Overstreet and songwriting duos Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, and Steve Barri and the late P.F. Sloan.