Songwriters Hall of Fame set to honour SZA

Singer-songwriter SZA has been announced as the next recipient of the Songwriters Hall of Fame's (SHOF) Hal David Starlight Award. 

The 34-year-old will receive the award at the 53rd Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner in June. 

"The Hal David Starlight Award, created in 2004, was named in honor of SHOF Chairman Emeritus Hal David, for his longtime support of young songwriters. Award recipients are gifted young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry with their original songs," the organisation said in a statement. 

Earlier this year, SZA won a Grammy in the Best R&B Song category for her smash hit, 'Snooze'. She co-wrote the song with Babyface, the Rascals, and BLK.

SZA also won Best Progressive R&B Album for 'SOS' and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her song with Phoebe Bridgers, 'Ghost In The Machine'. 

ALSO READ: SZA's new album 'SOS' debuts at number one

Many music lovers thought SZA, whose real name is Solána Imani Rowe, would win 'Album of the Year'. However, it was Taylor Swift who took home the coveted prize for her album 'Midnights'. 

"Sza should have won Album of the Year at the Grammys. SOS is a masterpiece," one X (Twitter) user wrote. 

SHOF Chairman Nile Rodgers says SZA is a worthy recipient of the Hal David Starlight Award. 

"This is such an exciting time for songwriters and music. Phenomenal artists like Beyonce and Taylor Swift are pushing the envelope of what success looks like but who could argue that the last two years belong to SZA. Incredible songwriting, incredible performances, incredible artistry. She so deserves to be the 2024 recipient of the Hal David Starlight Award!”

ALSO READ: Tyla takes the Grammy at the 66th annual awards show

Previous recipients of the Hal David Starlight Award include Alicia Keys, John Legend, Ed Sheeran, Lil Nas X, Post Malone, Ne-Yo, Drake, Benny Blanco, and Taylor Swift. 

The 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees were revealed in January. The class of 2024 includes US rapper, producer, and songwriter Timbaland, whose real name is Timothy Mosley. 

Hillary Lindsey, Dean Pitchford, and Steely Dan's Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are also among this year's inductees. 

R.E.M. members Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe also made the list. 

ALSO READ: Courtney Love shades Taylor Swift: "[She] is not important"

 HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO

1.     Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.

2.     Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).

3.     Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet, channel 836. 

4.     Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606

5.     Listen to us on Amazon Alexa. 

Main image credit: Instagram/@sza