Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, & Mariah Carey Crowned Among Greatest Living Songwriters

The New York Times has set social media ablaze after unveiling its list of the 30 greatest living American songwriters. But not everyone is impressed.

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Compiled from votes by industry insiders and critics, the ranking spotlights heavyweights like Jay-Z, praised for his lyrical complexity, with the publication dubbing his ‘Reasonable Doubt’ album as “one of the greatest debut albums in any genre.”

Kendrick Lamar also made the list for his genre-blending artistry, especially thanks to material from his ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ album.

Elsewhere, names like Missy Elliott, Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, Smokey Robinson, Taylor Swift, and Babyface feature prominently, but the omissions are what have fans talking.

Many questions arise from the absence of Beyonce Drake, J. Cole, and Eminem, with critics accusing the list of overlooking key voices shaping modern music.

As the debate rages on, it seems there’s no clear agreement in sight. See the full list here.