The Brooklyn-based ceremony adds seven new categories this year.
It’s the 15th Broadway cast album to receive this honor, and the first from a show that premiered after 1979.
This year's selections also includes Freddy Fender’s bilingual country crossover hit "Before the Next Teardrop Falls."
This year’s selections span 102 years, from 1913 to 2015.
The singer-songwriter's Warner debut, Fireworks & Rollerblades, marks its first anniversary on the Billboard 200 this week
Previous recipients include Marvin Hamlisch, John Barry, Giorgio Moroder & Elliot Goldenthal.
Kirk Franklin and Charles Jenkins tied for Songwriter of the Year; Capitol CMG Publishing won Publisher of the Year.
Pabllo Vittar & D4VD will also present at this year's ceremony, which will be held Sunday, May 25, in Tokyo.
The second installment of Billboard Japan’s series breaking down the trends of MAJ will focus on entries in the Top Global Hit From Japan category.
“Ray Charles is a beacon for me, a blueprint,” Batiste said in a statement.
