The 75 years old American music legend (both a songwriter and a singer) and a member of the Swedish Academy finally receive his Nobel Prize diploma and medal in Stockholm, Sweden. The prize was handed by the Academy and recognizes his effort in advancing literature. This came months after declining the invitation for the prize on 10th December 2016 pleading other commitments. The award is valued at the worth of $894,800.
Contrary to the norm where one has to apply to be considered for the award, Dylan has bestowed the award owing to his great contribution in engendering new poetic expressions that relate to the American musical composition tradition. In his music and art, Dylan incorporates a variety of issues including; philosophical, convivial and political and has great influence for five decades he has been in the industry. Back in the 1960’s his musical compositions were very influential in the times of civil unrest. In fact, his musical compositions ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ as well as ‘The Times They Are a-Changin’ were bought to be anthems of the anti-war and the civil rights movements.
Dylan’s music and art were initially inspired by music composers like Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie and Robert Johnson as well as the performance of Little Richard. In his music vocation, he has explored a wide range of music including blues, folk, gospel, country, rock, and roll. He has incorporated English, Irish and Scottish folk as well as jazz in his art. He performs his music with keyboards, harmonica, and guitars. In all that time in music Dylan is considered a master of his art who has sold 100 million records and written drawing and painting books. He has received a variety of awards including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, eleven Grammy Awards, the Presidential Medal of Liberation by President Barack Obama among many others. Indeed for Dylan, the Nobel Award is hard earned for years.
