Jay Z’s induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

On Thursday night, rapper Jay Z  was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Jay Z became the first rapper inducted into the prestigious organization and was the first hip-hop act nominated for the honour. The icon, who rarely tweets, posted multiple messages on Twitter around the time the ceremony took place, naming rappers who he admires, from veterans like Rakim and Nas to contemporaries such as Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole.

‘Thank you to all the people that have inspired me,’ Jay Z, born Shawn Carter, tweeted. ‘Salute to anybody who made a song to feed their family or just vent.’

The 2017 Songwriters Hall class also included Motown founder Berry Gordy; R&B maestro Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and many others. Former American President Barack Obama did the induction via a prerecorded video tape and called Jay Z ‘a friend’.

Thank you to all the people that have inspired me . Rakim KANE KRS chuck cube Jaz Em Andre Nas big PAC cole kendrick chance jayE ..wait,

— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) June 16, 2017