Lil Nas X earns prestigious award

NEWYORK— Though he went home empty-handed at this year’s Grammy Awards, Lil Nas X will be bestowed a prestigious honor next month by an elite group of music-makers.

The 23-year-old hit-maker — already a two-time Grammy winner — will receive the Hal David Starlight Award at the 2022 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction gala, scheduled for June 16 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

“Gifted young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs” are presented the award, which was created in 2004 to celebrate the legacy of SHOF Chairman Hal David, the late pop music lyricist known for timeless, chart-topping collaborations with Burt Bacharach.

While past recipients include Halsey, Ed Sheeran, Nick Jonas, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, John Mayer and Rob Thomas, only one other rapper has won the award: Drake in 2011.

Songwriters Hall of Fame Chair Nile Rodgers said Lil Nas X “is someone we are very proud to award the Hal David Starlight Award to.”

“He has perhaps better than anyone demonstrated how powerful great songs are with ‘Old Town Road’ and ‘Montero’ dominating the charts for almost every day of the last three years,” he continued.

The producer added: “If you’re lucky enough to be alive at this time, you know exactly who Lil Nas X is, and he’s an incredible and inspirational person for every one of his communities as well.”

Inductees for this year’s Songwriters Hall of Fame are Mariah Carey, Eurythmics, The Isley Brothers, Steve Miller, Rick Nowels, William “Mickey” Stevenson and The Neptunes.

This will be the first time since 2019 that the ceremony is held due to the pandemic.