NEW YORK CITY, United States (AFP) — Motown founder Berry Gordy, R&B producing duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and pop star Ed Sheeran were honored at the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York on Thursday (June 15) night.
Babyface, known for both his solo career and work with stars including Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton and Boyz II Men, was also inducted and called the honor the highlight of his career.
Sheeran was presented with the Hal David Starlight Award, a trophy given to young musicians who have made a significant impact in the music industry.
Rapper Shawn “Jay Z” Carter, who was a no-show on the carpet, became the first rapper ever inducted into the hall of fame.
Other inductees included Chicago founders Robert Lamm and James Pankow and Swedish songwriter Max Martin.
Cuba-born rapper Pitbull received the first ever Global Ambassador Award for creating music that crosses “cultural and national boundaries.”
The night’s highest honor, the Abe Oleman Publishing Award, went to past inductee and composer Alan Menken.
