Jay-Z to Induct Grandmaster Flash into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame

By: Bruce Simon

Jay-Z has been tapped to be a presenter at this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The rapper will be on hand to induct hip hop legends Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, who are being honored for their pioneering work. On his website, Flash said, "This is bigger than me. This induction is total acceptance from one of the most prestigious music associations in the world. This induction says that for the decades of work that was put in which later co-created an entire culture, they honor us. It's a wonderful feeling to be remembered as one of the architects that pioneered an idea that the whole world fell madly in love with. It is called Hip Hop."

Also being honored this year are the vocal group the Ronettes and the rock acts Patti Smith, R.E.M., and Van Halen.

In addition, there will be a surprise performance to honor the late Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, who died in December at age 83.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place March 12th at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. It will air live on VH1 Classic beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Check out the classic video by Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five The Message