Lil Nas X To Be Honored At 2022 Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony

Lil Nas X will be honored at the 51st annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala next month with the Hal David Starlight Award, which recognizes “gifted young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs.”

Per Variety, Lil Nas X, real name Montero Lamar Hill, will join previous honorees Drake, Taylor Swift, Halsey, Sara Bareilles, Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Benny Blanco, John Mayer and others. The award, created in 2004, was named in honor of SHOF chairman emeritus Hal David for his support of young songwriters.

The ceremony, the first since 2019, is slated to take place on Thursday, June 16 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. SHOF chair Nile Rodgers commented, “Lil Nas X is someone we are very proud to award the Hal David Starlight Award to. He has perhaps better than anyone demonstrated how powerful great songs are, with ‘Old Town Road’ and ‘Montero’ dominating the charts for almost every day of the last three years. If you’re lucky enough to be alive at this time, you know exactly who Lil Nas X is and he’s an incredible and inspirational person for every one of his communities as well.”

Lil Nas X's first hit single, “Old Town Road,” famously was recorded for $50 in a small Atlanta studio and has become the longest-running No. 1 hit in Billboard Hot 100 history. Lil Nas X has since morphed his music and fame from the country-hip-hop of his 2019 debut into R&B, rock and other genres while using his music videos and social media platforms to become the most outspoken LGBTQ rapper in history.

Inductees at this year’s SHOF event include Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O’Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley & Chris Jasper of The Isley Brothers, Steve Miller, Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo of The Neptunes, Rick Nowels and William “Mickey” Stevenson.

2021 was a great year for music, with many long-awaited albums dropping left and right, to new artists emerging on the scene. See which songs made our list of best pop songs to come out this year.

Olivia Rodrigo gave teens a new angsty idol to look up to, with her debut hit "Driver's License." The song encompasses a teenage girl pining over an ex who has since moved on from her.

Her first released song by her album of the same name, "Solar Power" showed us a Lorde we've never seen before. Singing about that infectious, flirtatious summer energy that takes hold of us all.

Miley’s collaboration on LAROI's track blends seamlessly with the teenager's voice, even though the two each have their own signature croon. Miley's addition brings a new maturity to the track.

The Weeknd is continuing his '80s sound, with "Take My Breath," a disco, dance-pop, synth-pop, funk and synthwave track with elements of alternative rock and psychedelic pop.

Lil Nas X was met with lots of criticism this year, propelled by the music video for "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)," in which we see Lil Nas X twerk on Satan.

This is what we’ve been WAITING FOR! This haunting, dark Adele in “Woman Like Me” is the perfect diss track to her ex, Simon Konecki. Adele delivers all her complaints in such a calm manner, it makes it all more powerful.

Doja Cat has come out with the best album of the year, so picking one song was a tough one. Nonetheless, "Get Into It (Yuh)" is the most fun song on the album.

Nigerian singer Wizkid is joined by fellow Nigerian singer Tems in this "sensual" song, which sees the duo express their desire for each other.

Your Power” confronts abusers who exploit underage girls, so Eilish flips the responsibility on the viewer to consider their baggage. She said her song can be applied to anyone.

Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak of Silk Sonic came with a hit that still gets us to this day. The ’70s soul/R&B vibe of "Leave The Door Open" as well as their recently released "Smokin Out The Window" is the third song the duo have released together. "Leave The Door Open" is how we'd like to remember 2021.