Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins, members of Kiss and more get into Songwriters Hall of Fame

By Associated Press

Published Jan 23, 2026 08:03 am

Taylor Swift appears at the MTV Video Music Awards (AP)

New York (AP) — Taylor Swift, Kiss’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, Alanis Morissette and Kenny Loggins make up the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees.

Swift’s songwriting has undeniably shaped contemporary pop music trends — and she’ll no doubt bring extra attention to this year’s new class.

Kiss founders Simmons and Stanley — fresh off the band’s farewell — will also be recognized for their glam rock classics “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Love It Loud.”

In addition to Swift, Simmons and Stanley, nominees this year include the soft rock legend Loggins (“Footloose,” “Danny’s Song”), the alt-rock icon Morissette (“You Oughta Know,” “Ironic”) and the game-changing R&B songwriter, producer and rapper Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, best known for work like Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and “Break My Soul.”

The 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held June 11 in New York City.

The Hall annually inducts performers and nonperformers alike. This year, the latter category includes the duo Terry Britten and Graham Lyle (Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”)

It’s also not uncommon for performers to gain entry after multiple nominations. Walter Afanasieff, who helped Mariah Carey with her smash “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” was previously nominated in the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame class. He didn’t make the cut then, but this year, will be inducted.

“The music industry is built upon the incredible talent of songwriters who create unforgettable songs. Without their artistry, there would be no recorded music, concert experiences, or engaged fans. Everything originates from the song and its creator,” Songwriters Hall of Fame chairman Nile Rodgers said in a statement. “This year’s lineup not only showcases iconic songs but also celebrates unity across various genres.”

The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.

Some already in the hall include Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Phil Collins, R.E.M., Steely Dan, Dean Pitchford, Hillary Lindsey and Timbaland.

The 2025 class included George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, The Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Tony Macaulay.

Taylor Swift, BTS’ Jimin, Lisa, Le Sserafim, BINI win at 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Nov 11, 2024 09:24 AM

  

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Taylor Swift, K-pop acts BTS’ Jimin, BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Le Sserafim, and Filipino girl group BINI triumphed at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMAs) on Nov. 10 from the Co-op Live in Manchester, United Kingdom. 

Swift won four awards: Best Video with “Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)”, Best Artist, Best Live and Best US Act.” 

Closely following was MTV EMAs newcomer Tyla, who bagged her first ever MTV EMAs for Best Afrobeats, Best R&B and Best African Act.

A general view of the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 held at Co-op Live on Nov. 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images for Viacom International)

Busta Rhymes accepts the Global Icon award on stage during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 held at Co-op Live on Nov. 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Viacom International)

Host Rita Ora on stage during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 held at Co-op Live on Nov. 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images for Viacom International)

Third time host Rita Ora surprised fans with several outfit changes and during the show invited global audiences into “Rita’s Bar,” set in a balcony overlooking thousands of fans. 

During the show, the MTV EMAs paid tribute to Liam Payne, with personal words from Rita. 

Performers Benson Boone and K-pop girl group Le Sserafim accepted their first MTV EMAs. 

Boone won Best New while Le Sserafim bagged Best Push. Peso Pluma won Best Latin.  

BINI won Best Asia Act, bagging their first ever MTV EMAs on their first nomination. The other nominees were ILLIT from South Korea, Mahalini from Indonesia, MASDO from Malaysia, and Sakurazaka46 from Japan. 

BTS’ Jimin, who is fulfilling his military service, won Best K-pop. The other nominees were Jungkook, Le Sserafim, Lisa, NewJeans and Stray Kids. 

Lisa and Rosalia won Best Collaboration for “New Woman” and Lisa also won Biggest Fans. 

(From left) Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha, Hong Eun-chae, Sakura Miyawaki and Kim Chae-won from Le Sserafim pose in the winners room with the Best Push award during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 held at Co-op Live on November 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Handout/Getty Images for Viacom International)

Huh Yun-jin, Kim Chae-won, Kazuha, Sakura Miyawaki and Hong Eun-chae of the group Le Sserafim attend the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 held at Co-op Live on Nov. 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Viacom International)

 

Huh Yun-jin, Kim Chae-won, Kazuha, Sakura Miyawaki and Hong Eun-chae from Le Sserafim performs on stage during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 held at Co-op Live on Nov. 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Viacom International)

Huh Yun-jin, Kim Chae-won, Kazuha, Sakura Miyawaki and Hong Eun-chae from Le Sserafim performs on stage during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 held at Co-op Live on Nov. 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images for Viacom International)

Huh Yun-jin, Kim Chae-won, Kazuha, Sakura Miyawaki and Hong Eun-chae from Le Sserafim performs on stage during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 held at Co-op Live on Nov. 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Viacom International)

Jimin (Instagram) 

Lisa (Instagram)

BINI (X)

Other winners included Ariana Grande (Best Pop), Calvin Harris (Best Electronic), Imagine Dragons (Best Alternative), Eminem (Best Hip-Hop) and Liam Gallagher (Best Rock). 

Boone opened the show in acrobatic fashion, suspended in the air playing a golden grand piano while serenading the crowd with his hits “Slow It Down” and “Beautiful Things.” 

Bringing her latest track “Push 2 Start” to the MTV EMAs stage, Tyla appeared in glimmering body paint, flanked by dancers and a car, before getting the crowd singing along with her smash hit “Water.”

The Warning performed “Automatic Sun” and Shawn Mendes, winner of Best Canadian Act, and his live band lit up the entire set with bright, dramatic lighting, highlighting his raw, heartfelt vocals. 

Hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes received the 2024 MTV EMAs Global Icon Award from British rapper Little Simz. He performed “Scenario,” “Put Your Hands Where The Eyes Can See,” “I Know What You Want,” “Do The BusABus Pt.2,” “Break Ya Neck,” “Look At Me Now,” “Touch It” and “Pass The Courvoisier.”

Le Sserafim performed “Chasing Lightning” followed by “Crazy.”  

Peso Pluma’s performance of his single “Hollywood” featured a surprise appearance from his collaborator on the track, Estevan Plazola. 

Closing out the show, the inaugural 2024 MTV EMA Pop Pioneer recipient Pet Shop Boys produced a visual spectacle alongside local string players the Manchester Camerata, who all sported the band’s iconic cone hats. 

In Southeast Asia, the 2024 MTV EMAS will be available on-demand in Singapore (on Singtel TV), Malaysia (on Astro via On Demand and Astro GO, and Catch Up on Unifi TV), and in Indonesia (on First Media and Indihome) from Nov. 16. Additional airing dates are to be confirmed.  

Complete List 2024 MTV EMA Winners

BEST SONG

Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso

 

BEST VIDEO

Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone - Fortnight

 

BEST ARTIST

Taylor Swift

 

BEST COLLABORATION

LISA ft. Rosalía – NEW WOMAN

 

BEST NEW

Benson Boone

 

BEST POP

Ariana Grande

 

BEST AFROBEATS

Tyla

 

BEST ROCK

Liam Gallagher

 

BEST LATIN

Peso Pluma

 

BEST K-POP

Jimin

 

BEST ALTERNATIVE

Imagine Dragons

 

BEST ELECTRONIC

Calvin Harris

 

BEST HIP-HOP

Eminem

 

BEST R&B

Tyla

 

BEST LIVE

Taylor Swift

 

BEST PUSH

LE SSERAFIM

 

BIGGEST FANS

LISA

 

Full list of 2024 MTV EMA Worldwide Winners

BEST AFRICAN ACT

Tyla

 

BEST ASIA ACT

BINI

 

BEST AUSTRALIAN ACT

Sia

 

BEST AUSTRIAN ACT

RAF Camora

 

BEST BRASILIAN ACT

Pabllo Vittar

 

BEST CANADIAN ACT

Shawn Mendes

 

BEST CARIBBEAN ACT

Young Miko

 

BEST DUTCH ACT

Roxy Dekker

 

BEST FRENCH ACT

Pierre Garnier

 

BEST GERMAN ACT

AYLIVA

 

BEST INDIA ACT

Mali

 

BEST ISRAELI ACT

Noa Kirel

 

BEST ITALIAN ACT

Annalisa

 

 BEST LAT AM CENTRAL ACT

Manuel Turizo

 

BEST LAT AM NORTH ACT

YeriMua

 

BEST LAT AM SOUTH ACT

Dillom

 

BEST NORDIC ACT

Zara Larsson

 

BEST POLISH ACT

Daria Zawiałow

 

BEST PORTUGUESE ACT

Bárbara Bandeira

 

BEST SPANISH ACT

Lola Indigo

 

BEST SWISS ACT

Nemo

 

BEST UK & IRELAND ACT

RAYE

 

BEST US ACT

Taylor Swift

Tyla poses in the winners room with the Best Afrobeats, Best R&B and Best African Act awards during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024 held at Co-op Live on Nov. 10, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Handout/Getty Images for Viacom International)

Peso Pluma (Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images for Viacom International)

Shawn Mendes (Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Viacom International)

Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Viacom International)