Two of R&B’s most successful writers are now being considered for one of songwriting’s highest honors.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced the ballot for its 2027 induction class on November 5. Kandi Burruss appears as a songwriter nominee, while Ne-Yo appears among the performing songwriters.
The Associated Press explained that eligible voting members may choose up to three nominees in the songwriter category and three in the performing-songwriter category. The induction honors a writer’s body of major work, and the organization uses a requirement of 20 years after the first significant commercial release of a song.
Burruss’ nomination recognizes decades of writing for artists including TLC and Destiny’s Child. Ne-Yo is known both as a performer and as a writer for artists including Beyoncé and Rihanna. Together, their nominations reflect how Black songwriters helped shape the commercial sound of modern pop and R&B.
They share the ballot with other notable Black writers and performers, including Grandmaster Melle Mel, Maurice Starr, will.i.am and members of WAR.
Voting closes at midnight Eastern on December 14. Nomination is not induction: the final class will be selected from the ballot and announced separately.
Sources: Songwriters Hall of Fame, Associated Press.
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