Singer Bob Dylan has officially been awarded a Nobel Prize-for Literature.

The 75-year-old rock musician is the first American to be awarded the prize since novelist Toni Morrison received it back in 1993, and he received it for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition."

Sara Danius, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, said he was chosen because Dylan is a "great poet in the English speaking tradition."

"For 54 years now he's been at it, reinventing himself, constantly creating a new identity," she told reporters in Stockholm after making the announcement.

The singer, known for classic hits such as :Blowin' In The Wind," "Like a Rolling Stone," "Knocking On Heaven's Door," and "The Times They Are A-Changin,'" has long been considered as a potential recipient for the prize according to the BBC, though he was never truly expected to be given it and was considered an outside shot.

Other writers have since reacted to the news on social media as well, and while some did support Dylan's win and joked about whether it meant they were eligible for other awards, some seemed to be upset by the choice since Dylan is not a traditional writer who would normally win the award, which is often given to those who write novels, short stories and poetry.

Salman Rushdie, known for books including Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights, The Enchantress of Florence, Shame and The Prophet's Hair, praised the committee's decision:

Jodi Picoult, known for novels like My Sister's Keeper, Nineteen minutes, The Pact, House Rules, leaving Time and Small Great Things took a more tongue-in-cheek approach to praising the decision:

However, several other writers did admit that the decision didn't sit well with them because Dylan is not a traditional choice:

 

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