Songwriters Hall of Fame 2019 Inductees Include John Prine, Cat Stevens, Missy Elliott

The Songwriters Hall of Fame has revealed its inductees for 2019, including country/folk legend John Prine, iconic singer-songwriter Yusuf/Cat Stevens and Missy Elliott, who will be the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters HOF.

The inductees, who also include Dallas Austin (worked with a bevy of stars including Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and Madonna), Country Music Hall of Fame member Tom T. Hall and Jack Tempchin (wrote the Eagles “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” among others), will be honored at a ceremony in New York City on June 13.

Songwriters considered for the HOF have to have published worked for more than 20 years and have accumulated a considerable catalog of songs.

“The first thing you need to know is it’s about the song, the second thing you need to know is it’s about the song, the third thing you need to know is it’s about the song,” says Nile Rodgers, Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman. “That’s true now more than ever but it has always been about the song so I’m very proud that in my first year as Chairman of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame that we are recognizing some of the culturally most important songwriters of all time. The 2019 slate of inductees represents diversity and unity across genres and gender, highlighting our dedicated mission to honor music creators who have enriched our lives. These are writers who in their time literally transformed music and helped make what’s happening today possible.”