Jay Z has become the first rapper to be nominated for the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Other nominees that could be inducted into the prestigious music organisation include Madonna, George Michael, Bryan Adams, Swedish pop hit-maker Max Martin and Kool & the Gang.

Members can vote for three non-performing songwriters and two performing songwriters until December 16.

Beyonce and Jay Z
Jay Z with Beyonce (Evan Agostini/Invision)

Five songwriters, or songwriting groups, will be officially inducted at a gala in New York on June 15 next year.

Other performing nominees include Cat Stevens, Chicago, Gloria Estefan, Jeff Lynne and David Gates.

Songwriters are eligible for induction after writing hit songs for at least 20 years. Jay Z, who released his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, in 1996, has had multiple hits in the last two decades, from Big Pimpin’ to Empire State of Mind.