Gloria Estefan, the first Latina included in the Songwriters Hall of Fame

June 21, 2023

Gloria Estefan became the first Latina to be included in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. At a ceremony held at the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York, the singer and songwriter of Cuban origin said she was "very excited" and that it is "a privilege" to have made it this far.

"I am. Who would have said it? I mean, it's something incredible. It's an honor to be the first to do something. And I've had quite a few opportunities in my life to be first, more than any person deserves. I'm very excited, you know, to open that door a little more so that more Latinos come and get this," Gloria Estefan said.

"To the fans who have found in my music what I found in the music of the songwriters who changed my soul throughout my life, I thank you for that privilege," Estefan said. "And I can assure you that it's just as magical from the other side of the song."

Estefan, who is credited with popularizing Latin rhythms in the Anglo-Saxon market, also said that "music has saved my life."

Accompanied by her husband, Emilio, and her 11-year-old grandson Sasha, Estefan was in charge of closing the gala celebrated on Thursday, June 15 and got the audience to their feet with a medley that included "Reach," "Words Get in the Way," "Anything for You," "Can't Stay Away from You," "Don't Wanna Lose You," as well as her mega-hits "Let's Get Loud" and "Rhythm Gonna Get You."

"You know I'm always happy that people still like my music. And, it's a privilege as I said, to be able to reach people through our music and our words. And I hope I inspired them or empowered them or at least made them cry if they needed a good cry," the artist added.

Estefan joined a group of songwriters with Broadway represented by lyricist Tim Rice, pop represented by Glen Ballard and the twang of Nashville embodied in Liz Rose. Each of the honorees spoke about the importance music had in their development and how it connected them with the past and the future.

Post Malone performed one of his forgotten songs, Teddy Riley moved to the rhythm of New Jack Swing and Jeff Lynne played "Mr. Blue Sky"

"The path of a songwriter is quixotic and sometimes exotic. It's never a straight line, but always winding," said Ballard, who helped write Alanis Morissette's album "Jagged Little Pill" and participated in several Michael Jackson albums like "Thriller," "Bad," and "Dangerous."

"I've been writing songs since I was four years old, not for money, but because I had to," he added.

Rice was awarded the Johnny Mercer Award, the highest recognition given by the hall, and Malone, 27, received the Hal David Starlight Award for "young talented songwriters who are having a significant impact on the music industry."

Accompanied by an acoustic guitar, Malone performed "Feeling Whitney," from his debut album, "Stoney," and then, amid laughter, apologized for "having played a song that nobody knows."

Snoop Dogg, whose hits include "Drop It Like It's Hot" and "Gin & Juice," postponed his induction until next year, as did Sade.

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

Some members of the hall include Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, and Phil Collins.