Patti Smith, R.E.M., Outkast & more nominated for Songwriters Hall of Fame

Some of the most iconic songwriters of the modern age are up for recognition, with the Songwriters Hall of Fame announcing the nominees for its class of 2020.

While the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tends to make the headlines for a variety of infamous reasons each year, its less-publicised predecessor often gets overlooked. Now, the Songwriters Hall of Fame have unveiled the list of nominees who will go on to make up their class of 2020.

As Billboard reports, the nominations for next year's inductees into the the Songwriters Hall of Fame have today been unveiled, and include some of the most influential and prolific names to ever feature in modern music.

Kicking things off with the non-performing songwriters category, this year sees the likes of Motown icon William "Mickey" Stevenson, Rick Nowels, Jerry Fuller, and the partnership of L. Russell Brown and the late Irwin Levine all up for recognition.

Check out The Neptunes' production of N.E.R.D.'s 'Rock Star':

Most notably, the category also includes a nomination for Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, the US duo known professionally as The Neptunes.

Having kicked things off in the early '90s, the pair truly came to public attention in the early '00s, thanks to their work with Britney Spears, Jay-Z, and No Doubt, while they also served as members of N.E.R.D..

On the performing side of things, it's a veritable who's-who of big names, including 2019 nominee Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, The Isley Brothers, Journey, Eurythmics, Outkast, and R.E.M., while Steve Miller, David Gates, The Beach Boys' Mike Love, and the Bluesfest-bound Patti Smith round out the nominees.

Following on from a year which saw the likes of Missy Elliott serving as the first female rapper inducted into the hall of fame, in addition to other names like Justin Timberlake, Cat Stevens, and more, you can be sure that this year's ceremony will be a big one.

Songwriters are made eligible for the hall of fame after having written hit songs for at least 20 years, with the official induction ceremony for the class of 2020 taking place in New York City on June 11th, 2020.

Six songwriters or songwriting groups will officially be inducted on that date, with voters able to vote for three non-performing songwriters and three performing songwriters until December 16th.

Check out 'One Sweet Day' by Mariah Carey:

2020 Songwriters Hall of Fame nominees:

Songwriters

Lynn Ahrens / Stephen Flaherty Tommy Boyce (d) / Bobby Hart L. Russell Brown / Irwin Levine (d) Sonny Curtis Kye Fleming / Dennis Morgan Jerry Fuller Tony Macaulay Bob McDill Chad Hugo / Pharrell Williams, p/k/a The Neptunes Roger Nichols Rick Nowels William "Mickey" Stevenson

Performing Songwriters

Mariah Carey Gloria Estefan David Gates Vince Gill Ernie Isley / Marvin Isley (d) / O’Kelly Isley (d) / Ronald Isley / Rudolph Isley d), Chris Jasper, p/k/a The Isley Brothers Jonathan Cain / Steve Perry / Neal Schon, p/k/a Journey Annie Lennox / David Stewart Mike Love Steve Miller André "André 3000" Benjamin / Antwan "Big Boi" Patton, p/k/a Outkast Bill Berry / Peter Buck / Mike Mills / Michael Stipe, p/k/a R.E.M. Patti Smith

Bluesfest 2020

Lenny Kravitz Jimmie Vaughan (Exclusive) The Waterboys (Exclusive) Eagles Of Death Metal Ani Difranco Amadou & Mariam The Allman Betts Band Zucchero (Exclusive) Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles Yola Tal Wilkenfeld Joachim Cooder (Exclusive) Steve ‘n’ Seagulls (Exclusive)

Joining…

Dave Matthews Band Crowded House Patti Smith And Her Band George Benson Brandi Carlile John Butler Xavier Rudd The Cat Empire Morcheeba John Prine Jenny Lewis Frank Turner John Mayall Buffy Sainte-Marie The Marcus King Band Walter Trout Christone “Kingfish” Ingram Greensky Bluegrass Larkin Poe The War & Treaty

Thursday, April 9th – Monday, April 13th, 2020 Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay, NSW Tickets: Moshtix