The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its list of nominees and it’s causing some controversy, as usual. While everyone agrees Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds deserves the honor – he’s written for some of the best including Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Toni Braxton, and has won 11 Grammys – but the nomination of rapper Jay Z is being criticized. Some traditionalists don’t consider freestyling technically songwriting.
[Check out Babyface’s Greatest Hits]
TMZ asked Babyface for his opinion of Jay Z’s nomination. “I think it makes all the sense in the world for him [Jay Z] to be considered as a rapper,” says Edmonds. When asked about the freestyling aspect, Babyface says with a smile, “If I could freestyle like that I would.” He adds, “I think that’s a talent. That’s part of the art of it.” Note: Babyface is returning to Dancing with the Stars (where he was a celeb contestant this season) to perform the Irving Berlin song “White Christmas” at the DWTS finale (November 22, 8pm, ABC). Berlin was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.
#ICYMI – Check out my interview on TMZ Live: https://t.co/mfR5j4AWPN
— Babyface (@KennyEdmonds) October 25, 2016
