Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Via video, Obama inducts absent Jay Z into Songwriters Hall
Jay Z, whose wife, Beyonce, is expecting twins soon, was absent Thursday from the 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York, where he was inducted by a charismatic longtime fan: former U.S. President Barack Obama.
Obama, appearing in a taped video, told the audience that he’s been listening to Jay Z since he was a “young and hungry state senator” and compared himself to the New York rapper.
“Nobody who met us as younger men would have expected us to be where we are today. You know what it’s like not to have a father around; you know what it’s like not to come from much and to know people who didn’t get the same breaks that we did. So we try to prop open those doors of opportunity, so that it’s a little easier for those who come up behind us to succeed as well,” Obama said.
“Jay and I are also fools for our daughters, although he’s going to have me beat once those two twins show up. And let’s face it, we both have wives who are significantly more popular than we are.”
Jay Z became the first rapper inducted into the prestigious organization and was the first hip-hop act nominated for the honor.
The 2017 Songwriters Hall class also included Motown founder Berry Gordy; R&B maestro Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds; songwriting duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis; pop music great Max Martin; and members of Chicago.