Previously Announced Inductees Include: Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Berry Gordy, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Robert Lamm & James Pankow p/k/a "Chicago," Max Martin, and Shawn "JAY Z" Carter
March 14, 2017 – The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced today that Pitbull will be the first-ever recipient of the Global Ambassador Award at the 48th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner slated for Thursday, June 15th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Additional special award honorees will be announced soon.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Global Ambassador Award was created to celebrate a songwriter-artist whose music has true worldwide appeal, crossing genre, cultural and national boundaries. Pitbull will be the inaugural recipient of the award, which will not be presented on an annual basis, but only when merited.
“Pitbull’s success, creativity, tireless musical collaboration and his wide-ranging social activism make him the ideal songwriter-performer to initiate the SHOF Global Ambassador Award,” said SHOF co-chairs Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and President/CEO Linda Moran.
From Mr. 305 to Mr. Worldwide, Armando Christian Perez, aka Pitbull, rose from the streets of Miami to exemplify the American Dream and achieve international success. His relentless work ethic transformed him into a Grammy®-winning global superstar and business entrepreneur. Along the way, he’s has been the subject and host of prestigious cable and network specials. His music has appeared in Men In Black III and The Penguins of Madagascar, and he even had a starring voiceover role in the animated 3D movie Epic. Landing No. 1 hits in over 15 countries, 9 billion YouTube/VEVO views, 70 million single sales and 6 million album sales, Pitbull does not stop. Making global music, Pitbull flaunts a style that’s indisputably his own. Releasing his full-length debut, M.I.A.M.I in 2004, followed by the success of 2006’s El Mariel and 2007’s The Boatlift. In tribute to his father, he delivered his first Spanish-language album, Armando, in 2010. That same year he was featured in the the Haiti benefit song "Somos El Mundo", a Spanish version of "We Are the World", that included a huge group of Latin artists led by Emilio and Gloria Estefan. He grinded it out on the road and touched down everywhere from the Far East and South America to Europe and all across the U.S. His success continued as he went on to release additional chart-topping platinum hits, including “Timber” [featuring Ke$ha], “Fireball” [featuring John Ryan] and more. Pitbull has also collaborated with other superstars including Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Lil Jon, Janet Jackson, Usher, Pharrell Williams, T-Pain, Ne-Yo and others. In 2014 his song "We Are One (Ole Ola)" was the official theme of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Pitbull will release his 10th full-length album, Climate Change, this Friday March 17.
Pitbull also continues to forge a presence in the business world. Among his many projects, his Honey I’m Home production company has partnered with Endemol Shine North America for three New Year’s Eve Revolution live TV shows on FOX, and Pitbull’s Globalization (Ch. 4) on Sirius XM features some of the most prominent DJs from around the world.
Honored by his accolades and awards, Pitbull is especially proud that he has received a key to the city of his beloved Miami, has a wax figure on display at Madame Tussaud’s Orlando, and received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Pitbull gives back to his community through various charities including SLAM!, Save The Music Foundation, World Vision, City of Hope, and more. On “Freedom,” another track on Climate Change, he sums everything up: “Went from a poor kid to a well-known all-around-the-globe world-class citizen, man I paid all my dues and earned my stripes took all the wrong in my life and I made it right.” That’s the dream, and Pitbull’s showing everybody it’s possible. Dale!
2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees include musical titans Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Berry Gordy, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Robert Lamm & James Pankow p/k/a "Chicago," Max Martin, and Shawn "JAY Z" Carter.
About The Songwriters Hall of Fame:
The Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates songwriters, educates the public with regard to their achievements, and produces a spectrum of professional programs devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. To qualify for induction into the SHOF, a songwriter must be a published writer for a minimum of 20 years. Out of the tens of thousands of songwriters of our era, there are approximately 400 inductees who make up the impressive roster enshrined in the Hall of Fame. The list includes Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier & Brian Holland, Smokey Robinson, Albert Hammond, Desmond Child, Paul Williams, Hal David & Burt Bacharach, John Fogerty, Bob Dylan, Isaac Hayes & David Porter, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora, Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Don Schlitz, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Loretta Lynn, Jimmy Webb, Van Morrison, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Diane Warren, Paul Anka, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Steven Tyler & Joe Perry, Leonard Cohen, Ray Davies, Donovan, Cyndi Lauper, Mick Jones & Lou Gramm, Chip Taylor, Elvis Costello, Marvin Gaye, Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards and Tom Petty among many others.
Full biographies and a complete list of inductees are available at the Songwriters Hall of Fame's Virtual Museum at http://songwritershalloffame.org/. Joining online is quick and easy: http://songhall.org/join
Ticket Information:
Tickets for the Songwriters Hall of Fame event begin at $1,250 each, and are available through Buckley Hall Events, 914-579-1000. Net proceeds from the event will go toward the Songwriters Hall of Fame programs. Songwriters Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 organization. The non-deductible portion of each ticket is $170. Contributions, for which no goods or services are received in exchange, are fully tax-deductible as provided by law.
Contact:
For Songwriters Hall of Fame
Cara Hutchison
Rogers & Cowan
212-878-5026
For Pitbull
Tom Muzquiz