U.K.
The BRIT Awards has announced the three shortlisted artists for its Rising Star Award. Elmiene (Polydor/Def Jam US), Good Neighbours (Polydor) and Myles Smith (RCA) comprise the all-male field of contenders. The winner will be announced on Dec. 5 on BBC Radio 1’s New Music Show With Jack Saunders.
This is only the second time that the field of contenders has consisted entirely of male artists or groups. James Bay, George the Poet and Years & Years were the 2015 finalists.
The award is voted on by a panel of music journalists, heads of music at radio and music TV stations, songwriters, producers and live bookers. The award is open to British artists who have not yet achieved a top 20 placement on the Official Albums Chart, or achieved more than one top 20 single on the Official Singles Chart before Oct. 31 of this year.
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The Rising Star Award (previously called Critics’ Choice) originated in 2008 and was most recently collected by baroque-pop group The Last Dinner Party. Previous winners include Adele, Sam Smith, Sam Fender, Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine, Griff and FLO, while Dua Lipa, Anne-Marie, Lewis Capaldi, Cat Burns, Michael Kiwanuka, Mabel and Years & Years have also all been finalists.
Elmiene released his most recent EP, Anyway I Can, in October, fusing his love of R&B, jazz and pop. He has performed at Glastonbury and collaborated with Stormzy, Syd, Sampha, BADBADNOTGOOD, A$AP Ferg and more, and recently headlined a 3,000-capacity show at London’s Troxy.
Speaking on his nomination, Elmiene said, “If I could put the feeling of being nominated into words, I would say it’s like being completely satisfied with a meal you bought and then finding out it comes with dessert and a drink. Didn’t know it could get any better.”
Myles Smith’s single “Stargazing” has had considerable success in the U.K. and abroad this year. The pop song, first released in May, peaked at No. 4 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart and reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Smith recently released his second EP, A Minute…, and had a debut U.S. TV performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In a press release, Smith said, “Growing up in Luton, I started playing pubs and open mic nights when I was just 12 and music quickly became my way of understanding the world and connecting with others. This recognition feels like a reflection of that journey – the highs, the challenges and the incredible people who’ve supported me along the way.”
Indie-pop duo Good Neighbours have had a triumphant year following their TikTok hit “Home,” which has topped 322 million streams on Spotify alone. The song peaked at No. 26 in the U.K., and rode the Hot 100 for 11 weeks, reaching No. 77.
The pair said of the nomination: “The BRITs have always been a huge dream for both of us growing up. We started Good Neighbours purely for the fun of it, so to be up for an actual BRIT award at this stage in our career is the biggest honour. Thank you.”
The winner will be recognised at the BRITs ceremony on March 1 at London’s O2 Arena. The ceremony will be broadcast on ITV and ITV X.
LONDON — Pet Shop Boys and Paloma Faith were among the major honorees at the 2024 Artist & Manager Awards, which also saw the creative teams behind Yungblud and British dance duo Chase & Status pick up prizes in recognition of their clients’ commercial success.
Held at London’s Bloomsbury Big Top on Thursday (Nov. 21), the annual awards show organized by U.K. trade bodies the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) and Music Managers Forum (MMF) is one of the few industry events that exclusively celebrates the achievements of both artists and their managers.
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One of the night’s biggest prizes was the artist and manager partnership award, collected by the Pet Shop Boys and their long-time manager Angela Becker, who has represented the dance pop duo since 2009.
“At a time when we needed it, [Angela] brought into our lives good advice, organization, honesty and strategy to help us carry out some of our strange, spontaneous and willful ideas, and make them into a reality,” singer Neil Tennant told the audience of industry executives, artist managers, entrepreneurs, and invited guests. “She has helped us flourish in those 16 years and we love her for that.” Tennant was joined onstage by his musical partner Chris Lowe and Becker.
“Learning the language of your client’s hopes and fears will open doors to profound impact, ensuring that their work echoes in the hearts of audiences long after,” Becker responded, adding: “I am continually elevated and inspired by the pursuit of new ways to communicate Pet Shop Boys’ vision.”
This year’s icon award was presented to Faith, whose sixth studio album, The Glorification of Sadness, reached No. 2 on the Official U.K. Album Chart in February and who organizers praised for being “political, strong, a true individual, and a brilliant songwriter and artist.”
“Being named an icon is truly an honor and one I certainly don’t feel when I’m at school drop-off and pick-up with yesterday night’s gig makeup halfway down my face and wearing a dirty grey tracksuit,” joked Faith, collecting the award from her long-time manager and “partner-in-crime” Innis Ferguson at Lateral Management.
“Innis is the person who allowed me to become more than a singer. She and the company [Lateral Management] are the reason why I’m winning the award because they don’t just view me as a music artist. They view me as whatever I want to be, whenever I want to be it,” said Faith, who recently published a best-selling book and has previously featured in an acclaimed, fly-on-the-wall BBC documentary. Faith went on to urge other artists to speak out about social and political issues.
“It’s a waste of a platform not to be politically engaged and not use your voice for good,” she told the audience. “Throughout history, musicians have always spoken out about social issues. It should be part of all our work to continue to do that job. It’s our duty. Please do not squander your influence on superficial things alone when you can make the world better.”
Other prizes given out at the ceremony included the fan champion award, which went to Yungblud, Tommas Arnby, Adam Wood and the management team at Special Projects Music, in recognition of their “innovative and hands-on approach to building and nurturing Yungblud’s fanbase.”
“I will do everything for my community, everything is for them. We work every day to try and make them feel safe, to try and make them feel heard and to try and make them feel seen,” said Yungblud, real name Dominic Harrison, in a video acceptance speech filmed in California. Accepting the award in London on his behalf were two of his biggest fans, Corey and Kenya.
British dance duo Chase & Status and their manager Sophie Kennard (Frame Artists) triumphed in the artist and manager team of the year category.
“Management is really a thankless job,” said the band’s Will Kennard. “All artists are a total nightmare and managers have to deal with them day-in and day-out on so many different levels. What they do is really quite heroic, and they don’t really get the recognition they deserve,” he said paying tribute to his “incredible, irreplaceable” manager.
Riverman Management founders Alex Weston and Dave McLean were awarded the prestigious title of managers’ manager in tribute to their successful three-decade long career, which began in the early 1990s when they promoted some of the first U.K. shows by Nirvana, Green Day, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. The company’s artist management roster now includes Friedberg, Dea Matrona, Tom Fleming and Placebo, who the firm has represented since 1995.
“Over the years, with the introduction of technology and with the continuously increasing and expanding workloads, [artist] management has become a job that I sometimes question why any sane person would enter or continue to [do],” said Weston, accepting the managers’ manager award from FAC board director and former member of The Fall, Brix Smith.
“What other job on this planet requires us to have so much wide-ranging knowledge, so many skills and so much responsibility and time invested?” she went on to say. “But we do it because we are 100% committed and passionate about each of the artists we take on and truly believe, against all the odds, we can break them and their music. They are the future of our industry and put their faith and trust in us to help them achieve those ambitions,” said Weston before offering a note of caution to major labels: “Sometimes it’s worth remembering that managers need support too.”
Other winners on the night included British funk group Cymande, who took home the originator award, and Grammy-nominated Scottish musician Sophie, who died in 2021 at age 34. With the blessing of her family, who were present at the awards ceremony, Sophie was posthumously given the pioneer award.
Later in the evening, electronic music producer Barry Can’t Swim (real name Joshua Mainnie) received the breakthrough artist award, while Victoria de Juniac was named breakthrough manager in recognition of her work with Irish singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot.
The ceremony was hosted by BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Remi Burgz and featured live performances from Moonchild Sanelly, BEKA and Hana Lili.
Here’s the full list of winners at the 2024 Artist & Manager Awards:
Artist & Manager Partnership: Pet Shop Boys & Angela Becker (Becker Brown)
Artist & Manager Team of the Year: Chase & Status & Sophie Kennard (Frame Artists)
Icon: Paloma Faith
Managers’ Manager: Riverman Management
Pioneer: SOPHIE (posthumous award)
Originator: Cymande
Fan Champion: Yungblud & Special Projects Music
Breakthrough Artist: Barry Can’t Swim
Breakthrough Manager: Victoria de Juniac (VictoriaBDJ Management)
Secret Weapon: Hope James (Atlas Artists)
Writer / Producer Manager: Ant Hippsley (Milk & Honey)
Team Achievement: Finesse Foreva
Shawn Mendes, Benson Boone, RAYE, Teddy Swims and the Mexican-born sister trio The Warning are set to perform at the 2024 MTV EMAs. The show is set to be broadcast live on Nov. 10 from Co-op Live in Manchester, U.K.
Four of those artists – Boone, RAYE, Swims and The Warning – are also vying for Grammy nominations for best new artist. RAYE swept the Brit Awards on March 2. Boone won best alternative at the MTV VMAs on Sept. 11.
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In addition, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale and screen stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Turner-Smith and Lucien Laviscount will take the stage as presenters. Ten of the 11 artists with the most nominations for the 2024 MTV EMAs are women. The only man who cracked the leaderboard is Kendrick Lamar, with four nods.
Taylor Swift leads with seven nods, including best artist, best video, best pop and biggest fans. Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter each scored five nominations. Closely following with four nods each are Ayra Starr, Beyoncé, Lamar, LISA, plus first-time nominees Chappell Roan and Tyla.
Fans can vote for their favorites on the EMAs website from now until 00:00 CET on Nov. 6.
The 2024 MTV EMAs will broadcast at 9 p.m. GMT Sunday, Nov. 10, on MTV UK, Channel 5 and Pluto TV, and will be available on demand on Paramount+ from Nov. 12. Tickets will be on sale at a later date.
Bruce Gillmer and Richard Godfrey are executive producers for the 2024 MTV EMAs. Debbie Phillips and Chloe Mason are producers.
This will be the eighth time the EMAs have been held in the U.K. Last year’s ceremony was set for Nov. 5 in Paris, but was canceled two weeks before the show due to the Israel–Hamas war, becoming the first EMAs to be canceled in its 30-year history.
Final nominations have been announced for this year’s Association of Independent Music (AIM) Awards. Electronic music producer Barry Can’t Swim (real name: Joshua Mainnie) leads the pack with three nominations, followed closely by Jorja Smith, Sampha, CASISDEAD and Kneecap, who are up for two awards each.
Singer-songwriter Sampha, who is in the running for best independent video and best independent track, will be among the live performers on the night, alongside Manchester rapper and fellow nominee OneDa.
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The 14th edition of the annual awards show, which recognizes the achievements of the artists, labels, entrepreneurs and companies that make up the U.K.’s indie sector, is set for Oct. 17 at London’s Roundhouse venue.
Nominees also include D-Block Europe, Kim Gordon, Actress, rapper Skrapz, Mount Kimbie, Anohni and the Johnsons and jazz nine-piece Nubiyan Twist, who are all in the running for the best independent album prize alongside Smith and Barry Can’t Swim.
AIM announced the nominees in seven categories on Aug. 13, but have now announced the nominees in all 14 competitive categories, as well as the recipient of the diversity champion award. Afrobeats artist, producer and songwriter Silvastone, who has collaborated with the likes of Popcaan, Sneakbo, Bugzy Malone and Lady Leshurr, has been named AIM’s 2024 diversity champion in recognition of his commitment to his local community in Croydon and work as a youth ambassador.
R&B singer Jorja Smith, a 2019 Grammy nominee for best new artist, is also listed in the best independent track category for her hit “Little Things,” which reached No. 11 on the Official U.K. Singles chart.
2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective, Fontaines D.C., KNEECAP, Hudson Mohawke and Nikki Nair, Sampha, NikNak, Matthew Halsall, Amy Gadiaga and CASISDEAD — who was crowned best hip-hop/grime/rap act at the BRIT Awards on March 2 – round out the best track shortlist.
Other categories announced on Tuesday (Oct. 1) by AIM, which represents more than 1,000 U.K. independent artists and music companies, include best independent label. Heavenly Recordings, Ninja Tune, Partisan Records, Seattle’s Sub Pop Records and British indie Transgressive Records are the nominees in that category.
New for 2024 is the award for the U.K.’s best independent record store. Drift in Totnes, Manchester-based Piccadilly Records, Rough Trade Bristol and London’s Honest Jon’s and Stranger Than Paradise Records are all in the running for the inaugural prize.
The top five list for the public-voted best live performer title numbers Belfast rap trio Kneecap, Laura Misch, Pendulum, Raye and Frank Turner. All other nominees and winners are decided by the AIM board and a panel of expert judges.
The five contenders for the independent breakthrough award number London rapper CASISDEAD, Barry Can’t Swim, Bar Italia, Saint Harison and Wunderhorse, who all receive free access to studio time at London’s Metropolis Studios as part of their nomination.
AIM’s One to Watch category, which has previously been collected by Nia Archives and Arlo Parks, shines a light on spoken word artist Antony Szmierek, drum and bass MC OneDa, DJ Kitty Amor and artist/producers Lynks and Miso Extra.
Sponsors and media partners for October’s awards ceremony, which will be hosted by BBC Radio 1 DJ Jack Saunders, include Spotify, Vevo, Meta, Notion, Amazon Music and the BBC.
Here’s the full list of nominees for the 2024 AIM Independent Music Awards:
Diversity Champion
Silvastone
Best Independent Label
Heavenly Recordings
Ninja Tune
Partisan Records
Sub Pop Records
Transgressive Records
Best Creative Campaign
Chrysalis Records (BODEGA, ‘Our Brand Could Be Yr Life’)
Dead Oceans (Slowdive, ‘everything is alive’)
Identity Music (Lofi Girl, ‘Snowman’)
Warp Records (Aphex Twin, ‘Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760’)
Young (Sampha, ‘LAHAI’)
Best Live Performer
Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings)
KNEECAP (Heavenly Recordings)
Laura Misch (One Little Independent)
Pendulum (Mushroom Music)
RAYE (Human Re Sources)
Best Boutique Label
AD 93
Houndstooth
LAB Records
New Soil
Sonic Cathedral
PPL Award for Most Played Independent Artist
Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune)
Coach Party (Chess Club Records)
Far From Saints (Ignition Records)
Popeth (Recordiau Côsh Records)
Tom A. Smith (TYM Records)
Best Independent Record Store
Drift
Honest Jon’s
Piccadilly
Rough Trade Bristol
Stranger Than Paradise Records
Music Entrepreneur of the Year
Andrew Batey (Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Beatdapp)
Atlanta Cobb (Founder & Director, Music Industry Mentor)
Colin Batsa (President and Chairman, EGA Distro)
Meg Carnie (Studio Manager / Co-Founder / Artist Manager – South Lanes Studios)
Tom Allen (President, Downtown Royalties and Financial Services, Downtown Music)
Best Independent Album
Actress – LXXXVIII (Ninja Tune)
ANOHNI and the Johnsons – My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross (Rough Trade Records)
Barry Can’t Swim – When Will We Land? (Ninja Tune)
D-Block Europe – Rolling Stone (EGA Distro)
Jorja Smith – falling or flying (FAMM)
Kim Gordon – The Collective (Matador Records)
Mount Kimbie – The Sunset Violent (Warp Records)
Nabihah Iqbal – Dreamer (Ninja Tune)
Nubiyan Twist – Find Your Flame (Strut Records)
Skrapz – Reflection (EGA Distro)
Best Independent Remix
“The Egyptian Lover Remix” – Sudan Archives – Freakalizer (Stones Throw Records)
“Joy Anonymous Remix” – Ezra Collective, Sampa the Great – JOY (Life Goes On) (Partisan Records)
“L BEATS Mashup” – Jorja Smith – Little Things x Gypsy Woman (FAMM)
“Olof Dreijer Remix” – Björk – Oral (feat. Rosalia) (One Little Independent)
“P-rallel Remix” – Aluna, Jayda G – Mine O’ Mine (Mad Decent Under Exclusive Licence to Because Music)
One To Watch
Antony Szmierek (LAB Records)
Kitty Amor (Defected Records)
Lynks (Heavenly Recordings)
Miso Extra (Transgressive Records)
OneDa (Heavenly Recordings)
Best Independent Track
Amy Gadiaga – “All Black Everything” (Jazz re:freshed)
CASISDEAD – “Venom” (XL Recordings)
Ezra Collective – “Ajala” (Partisan Records)
Fontaines DC – “Starburster” (XL Recordings)
Hudson Mohawke & Nikki Nair – “Set the Roof” (Warp Records)
Jorja Smith – “Little Things” (FAMM)
KNEECAP, Grian Chatten – “Better Way To Live” (Heavenly Recordings)
Matthew Halsall – “An Ever Changing View” (Gondwana Records)
NikNak – “1200RPM” (Accidental Records)
Sampha – “Spirit 2.0” (Young)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape
George Riley – Un/limited Love (Ninja Tune)
Headie One & K-Trap – Strength to Strength (One Records and Thousand8)
HONESTY – BOX (Partisan Records)
JGrrey – If Not Now? (PACE, a subsidiary of Marathon Music Group)
Potter Payper – Thanks for Hating (EGA Distro)
UK Independent Breakthrough
Bar Italia (Matador Records)
Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune)
CASISDEAD (XL Recordings)
Saint Harison (Tell Your Friends)
Wunderhorse (Communion Records)
Best Independent Video
Gia Ford – “Poolside” (Chrysalis Records)
Khruangbin – “A Love International” (Dead Oceans)
Master Peace – “I Might Be Fake” feat. Georgia (PMR Records)
Mitski – “My Love Mine All Mine” (Dead Oceans)
Sampha – “Only” (Young)
Modestly titled The Girls Aloud Show, the reunion tour for Girls Aloud has been one of the most anticipated music events of the year for pop fans worldwide, marking a powerful and emotional return to the stage for the beloved U.K. girl group. The outing is the band’s first since disbanding in 2013 and their first time together since the tragic loss of bandmate Sarah Harding, who died from breast cancer in 2021.
With multiple Guinness World Records for chart dominance on The Official U.K. Singles Chart, Girls Aloud has solidified their place in British pop music history. Yet, the years following their breakup allowed personal feuds, mainly between Cheryl, Kimberly Walsh and Nicola Roberts on one side against Nadine Coyle on the other. However, Harding’s death served as a catalyst for reconciliation, with one of her final wishes to bring the women back together as bandmates and friends willing to put the past behind them.
Following the reconciliation and subsequent tour announced at the end of 2023, The Girls Aloud Show tour has grossed $19.1 million from 200,000 fans filling arenas across the 20 dates reported so far to Billboard Boxscore. But beyond the numbers, the real impact of The Girls Aloud Show lies in the heartfelt moments that have defined this reunion.
From emotional tributes to Harding in the show, where the group paused to honor their late friend with tearful speeches and a poignant video montage, to a reimagined Pride concert in August that celebrated the LGBTQ+ community with vibrancy and love, the tour has been a testament to the enduring bond between these women, their fans and the critically acclaimed music from their seven LPs together.
Beyond the celebration, the tour also helped bring awareness and donations to the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal created by her bandmates in April 2023. As one of Sarah’s parting wishes, the foundation developed the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment in Young Women to find new ways to spot the disease. With its second phase of research funded by initiatives in place during the tour, the show also marked a way to honor Harding beyond the stage.
As Girls Aloud take their final bow this month, the members leave behind a legacy not just of chart-topping hits, but of resilience, forgiveness and the power of friendship. The Girls Aloud reunion felt like more than a comeback; it was a celebration of life, great pop music and the memory of a superstar friend who will never be forgotten.
Read on for the best moments from the reunion.
The Ethereal, ‘Untouchable’ Tour Opener
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
LONDON — Jorja Smith, CASISDEAD and Barry Can’t Swim are among the leading nominees for the 2024 Association of Independent Music (AIM) Awards, which recognize the achievements of the artists, labels, entrepreneurs and companies that make up the U.K.’s indie sector.
The 14th edition of the annual awards show is set for Oct. 17 at London’s Roundhouse venue. Nominees also include D-Block Europe, Kim Gordon, Actress, rapper Skrapz, Mount Kimbie, Anohni and the Johnsons and jazz nine-piece Nubiyan Twist, who are all in the running for the best independent album prize alongside Smith and electronic music producer Barry Can’t Swim, real name Joshua Mainnie.
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R&B singer Jorja Smith, a 2019 Grammy nominee for best new artist, is also listed in the best independent track category for her hit “Little Things,” which spent 22 weeks on the Official U.K. Singles chart, peaking at No. 11.
2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective are on the best track shortlist, along with Fontaines D.C., KNEECAP, Hudson Mohawke and Nikki Nair, Sampha, NikNak, Matthew Halsall, Amy Gadiaga and CASISDEAD — who was crowned best hip-hop/grime/rap act at the BRIT Awards on March 2.
Other categories announced by AIM, which represents more than 1,000 U.K. independent labels, artists and music companies, include best EP/mixtape, best remix and best video.
The five contenders for the independent breakthrough award number London rapper CASISDEAD, Barry Can’t Swim, Bar Italia, Saint Harison and Wunderhorse, who all receive free access to studio time at London’s Metropolis Studios as part of their nomination.
AIM’s One to Watch category, which has previously been collected by Nia Archives and Arlo Parks, shines a light on spoken word artist Antony Szmierek, drum and bass MC OneDa, DJ Kitty Amor and artist/producers Lynks and Miso Extra.
Nominees and winners are picked by the AIM board and a panel of expert judges with the exception of the best live performer award, which is decided by a public vote.
In terms of most nominated indie labels, London-based Ninja Tune leads the pack with its artists receiving four nods across the categories announced so far (Actress, Barry Can’t Swim, Nabihah Iqbal and George Riley). XL Recordings, Heavenly Recordings and artist services company EGA Distro each have three acts up for prizes.
Nominations for the remaining award categories, including best boutique label and independent champion, as well as live performers at this year’s ceremony will be announced in the coming months, said AIM. Sponsors and media partners for October’s awards include Spotify, Vevo, Meta, Notion, Amazon Music and the BBC.
Gee Davy, interim AIM CEO, said that this year’s nominees “spans the regions and nations, genres and communities of the U.K.’s independent music scene, recognizing success, talent and artistry.”
Ruth Barlow, the not-for-profit organization’s chair, said in a statement that the 2024 awards shortlist provides “a great glimpse into the length and breadth of the U.K.’s independent sector and highlight a handful of the innovators, culture makers and commercial successes AIM’s outstanding community has to offer.”
According to figures released earlier this year from U.K. labels trade body BPI, independently released songs and albums accounted for almost one-third of all music consumption in the U.K. in 2023 with the equivalent of more than 53 million independently released albums streamed or purchased across digital and physical formats. The U.K. is the world’s third-biggest recorded music market in IFPI’s annual rankings behind the U.S. and Japan.
See below for a full list of the nominees for the 2024 AIM Independent Music Awards announced so far:
Best Independent Album (in association with Spotify)
Actress – LXXXVIII (Ninja Tune)
ANOHNI and the Johnsons – My Back Was a Bridge For You to Cross (Rough Trade Records)
Barry Can’t Swim – When Will We Land? (Ninja Tune)
D-Block Europe – Rolling Stone (EGA Distro)
Jorja Smith – falling or flying (FAMM)
Kim Gordon – The Collective (Matador Records)
Mount Kimbie – The Sunset Violent (Warp Records)
Nabihah Iqbal – Dreamer (Ninja Tune)
Nubiyan Twist – Find Your Flame (Strut Records)
Skrapz – Reflection (EGA Distro)
Best Independent Remix
P-rallel Remix – Aluna, Jayda G – Mine O’ Mine (Mad Decent Under Exclusive License to Because Music)
Olof Dreijer Remix – Björk – Oral (feat. Rosalia) (One Little Independent)
L BEATS Mashup – Jorja Smith – Little Things x Gypsy Woman (FAMM)
Egyptian Lover Remix – Sudan Archives – Freakalizer (Stones Throw Records)
Ezra Collective, Sampa The Great – JOY (Life Goes On) (Partisan Records)
One to Watch (in association with BBC Music Introducing)
Antony Szmierek (LAB Records)
Kitty Amor (Defected Records)
Lynks (Heavenly Recordings)
Miso Extra (Transgressive)
OneDa (Heavenly Recordings)
Best Independent Track (in association with Meta)
Amy Gadiaga – “All Black Everything” (Jazz re:freshed)
CASISDEAD – “Venom” (XL Recordings)
Sampha – “Spirit 2.0” (Young)
Fontaines DC – “Starburster” (XL Recordings)
Ezra Collective – “Ajala” (Partisan Records)
Jorja Smith – “Little Things” (FAMM)
KNEECAP, Grian Chatten – “Better Way to Live” (Heavenly Recordings)
Matthew Halsall – “An Ever Changing View” (Gondwana Records)
NikNak – “1200RPM” (Accidental Records)
Hudson Mohawke & Nikki Nair – “Set the Roof” (Warp Records)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape
George Riley – Un/limited Love (Ninja Tune)
Headie One & K-Trap – STRENGTH TO STRENGTH (One Records and Thousand8)
JGrrey – If Not Now? (PACE, a subsidiary of Marathon Music Group)
Potter Payper – Thanks for Hating (EGA Distro)
HONESTY – BOX (Partisan Records)
UK Independent Breakthrough (in association with Amazon Music)
Bar Italia (Matador Records)
CASISDEAD (XL Recordings)
Wunderhorse (Communion Records)
Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune)
Saint Harison (Platoon)
Best Independent Video (in association with Vevo)
Gia Ford – Poolside (Chrysalis Records)
Khruangbin – A Love International (Dead Oceans)
Master Peace – I Might Be Fake feat. Georgia (PMR Records)
Mitski – My Love Mine All Mine (Dead Oceans)
Sampha – Only (Young)
Charli XCX’s Brat was among the albums shortlisted for this year’s Mercury Prize on Thursday (July 25). It’s the second time that the recent Billboard Cover star – whose album recently charted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 – has been nominated for the prize, following a nod for 2020’s How I’m Feeling Now.
The Mercury Prize is awarded annually and celebrates the best of British and Irish music across a wide range of genres. The Last Dinner Party’s Prelude To Ecstasy, Beth Gibbons’ Lives Outgrown, Corinne Bailey Rae’s Black Rainbows and CMAT’s Crazymad, For Me are also up for the award. The winner will be announced in September.
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The shortlisted albums were announced at a launch event in London this morning. It follows the news that this year’s live event – traditionally held at the capital Eventim Apollo and featuring performances from the nominated acts – will not be taking place. Coverage across the BBC on TV, radio, online and social media will replace the usual live performance.
The announcement comes admidst a huge summer for Charli. Earlier this week, the pop star endorsed U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris following the news that President Joe Biden would not seek the Democratic nomination in this year’s U.S. presidential election. Fans on social media quickly spliced together clips of songs from Brat with footage of Harris, and the presumptive democratic party nominee changed the banner on her campaign’s X feed to the signature Brat green palette and font. In addition, talking heads on CNN, Fox News and late-night talk shows scrambled to clumsily explain this sudden explosion of memes to their audiences. In September, Charli will join Troye Sivan on a co-headline tour in the U.S. before a string of solo arena shows in the U.K. later this fall.
The Mercury Prize was first awarded in 1992. Recent winners include Ezra Collective (2023), Little Simz (2022), Arlo Parks (2021) and Michael Kiwanuka (2020). PJ Harvey, who won the prize in 2001 and 2011, and is the only artist to have won the award twice.
A panel of judges, chaired by Jeff Smith, head of music, Radio 2 & 6 Music, selects the winner and it also includes the following: Danielle Perry – broadcaster & writer; Jamie Cullum – musician & Radio 2 broadcaster; Jamz Supernova – 6 Music broadcaster & DJ; Lea Stonhill – music programming consultant; Mistajam – songwriter, DJ & broadcaster; Phil Alexander – creative director, Kerrang!/contributing editor, Mojo; Sian Eleri – Radio 1 broadcaster & DJ; Will Hodgkinson – chief rock & pop critic, The Times; Sophie Williams – music writer & broadcaster.
Here’s the complete list of 2024 Mercury Prize album of the year nominees:
Barry Can’t Swim, When Will We Land?
BERWYN, Who Am I
Beth Gibbons, Lives Outgrown
Cat Burns, early twenties
Charli XCX, Brat
CMAT, Crazymad, for Me
Corinne Bailey Rae, Black Rainbows
corto.alto, Bad with Names
English Teacher, This Could Be Texas
Ghetts, On Purpose, With Purpose
Nia Archives, Silence Is Loud
The Last Dinner Party, Prelude to Ecstasy
Rema, Steve Mac, Lostboy and Daniel Pemberton are among the top winners at ASCAP London Celebrates, a private event that is being held on Tuesday (June 18) at The Shard in London.
British songwriter and producer Peter Rycroft, aka Lostboy, captures four ASCAP awards, including songwriter of the year. 2023 was a big year for Lostboy, which saw him co-write a string of hits including Tate McRae and Tiësto’s “10:35,” Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s “Miracle” (co-written by fellow winner Pablo Bowman Navarro), which spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Official UK Singles Chart; and Kylie Minogue’s “Padam Padam,” which earned him a Grammy for best pop dance recording. Each song earned him an ASCAP award in the hot dance/electronic song category.
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Continuing a breakout year which has seen him release his fourth EP and perform “Calm Down” (a nominee for best international song) at the BRIT Awards, Rema is honored with two ASCAP awards – song of the year and top streaming song, also for “Calm Down.” Co-writers Michael “London” Hunter and Andre Vibez were also winners. “Calm Down,” a collab with Selena Gomez, reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Producer, songwriter and musician Steve Mac wins top hot dance/electronic song for his work on “Baby Don’t Hurt Me,” a collaboration by Anne-Marie, David Guetta and Coi Leray.
Eddie Jenkins, Andy Sheldrake, Camden Cox and Hayla receive a hot dance/electronic song prize for “Where You Are” by John Summit & Hayla.
In the world of TV, film and streaming, Daniel Pemberton lands top box office film of the year for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Pemberton’s score, which was shortlisted for an Oscar for best original score, draws on disparate strains of music, including punk rock, electronic music and traditional Indian instruments.
Julian Gingell and Barry Stone receive the top network series award for the second year in a row for their theme to American Idol.
2024’s top box office film awards go to composers Martin Phipps, for Napoleon, Patrick Jonsson for The Boogeyman and Joby Talbot for Wonka.
Paul Leonard-Morgan receives the prize for top streaming film for real-life crime thriller The Boston Strangler. Awards for top streaming series go to Anne Nikitin and Wil Malone for Apple TV’s Hijack, Natalie Holt for Loki and Andrew Skeet and Nathan Klein for Netflix docuseries MH370: The Plane That Disappeared.
As previously announced, South Africa-born British singer-songwriter and producer Kenya Grace receives the ASCAP Global Impact Award, in recognition of her success in the dance music world. Irish indie-pop singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot takes home the ASCAP Vanguard Award, which recognizes artists whose innovative work is helping to shape the future of music.
This year’s winners join a string of previous UK-affiliated ASCAP award recipients including Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, MNEK, Lewis Capaldi, Dev Hynes and Becky Hill.
ASCAP’s private event on Tuesday night for its winning songwriters and composers is set to include a brief performance from rising R&B/soul star Elmiene. The event is designed to shine a light on ASCAP’s UK-affiliated talent for their success in the U.S.
A full list of ASCAP London Music Award winners is available at https://www.ascap.com/londonawards24.
Singer-songwriters Kenya Grace and Cian Ducrot will be honored at ASCAP London Celebrates, an invitation-only celebration of top U.K.-affiliated songwriters and composers taking place in London on June 18. Grace, a British singer-songwriter and producer, who was born in South Africa, will receive the ASCAP Global Impact Award. Grace is best known for her 2023 […]
Less than two months after sweeping the Brit Awards, RAYE is nominated for an Ivor Novello Award for best album for her smash debut My 21st Century Blues (on which she collaborated with Mike Sabath). RAYE won best contemporary song at last year’s Ivors with “Escapism,” which she co-wrote with 070 Shake and Sabath.
The Ivors Academy announced the nominations for The Ivors 2024 with Amazon Music on Tuesday (April 23), recognizing outstanding songwriters and composers across eight categories. Winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony taking place at Grosvenor House, London, on Thursday May 23.
This year, 77 songwriters and composers have received Ivor Novello nominations, with 60% of them receiving a nod for the first time. Leading the way are Sampha and Yussef Dayes, who are both up for two Ivors across the songwriting categories, while composer Daniel Pemberton is nominated twice in the screen categories.
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Tyla’s “Water,” a former top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and the inaugural Grammy winner for best African music performance, is among the nominees for best contemporary song.
Presented since 1957, the Ivor Novello for Best Song Musically and Lyrically acknowledges outstanding song craft. Tom Odell receives his second nomination in as many years for “Black Friday.” He was nominated last year for co-writing “Best Day of My Life.” Sampha and Dayes both receive their second nomination for co-writing Sampha’s “Spirit 2.0,” while 2023 Rising Star winner Victoria Canal returns with “Black Swan.” Also nominated are The Japanese House for “Sunshine Baby” and Blur for “The Narcissist” – 29 years on from the group’s first Ivors nomination.
In the PRS for Music Most Performed Work category, Harry Styles’ 2022 megahit “As It Was,” which he co-wrote with Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, which won the award last year, is nominated for the second year running. It is competing with PinkPantheress & Ice Spice’s “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2”, Jazzy’s “Giving Me,” Kenya Grace’s “Strangers” and “Sprinter” by Dave & Central Cee.
Jerskin Fendrix, who received an Oscar nomination for best original score for Poor Things, is nominated in that category here too. The other nominees are Pemberton’s score for Marvel’s animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Carly Paradis’ score for Typist Artist Pirate King, Carol Morley’s feature about the artist Audrey Amiss.
Pemberton is also nominated in the best television soundtrack category for his work on spy drama Slow Horses.
Fans can listen to tracks from the nominees on The Ivors 2024 playlist on Amazon Music.
As previously announced, Bruce Springsteen will become the first songwriter from outside the U.K. to become a Fellow of the Academy, the highest honor the Academy bestows.
Ivor Novello Awards will also be presented for Songwriter of the Year with Amazon Music, Outstanding Song Collection with PRS for Music, Visionary Award with Amazon Music, Special International Award, and Outstanding Contribution to British Music.
Here’s a complete list of the nominations for The Ivors 2024:
Best album
Black Classical Music; written by Yussef Dayes, Rocco Palladino and Charlie Stacey; performed by Yussef Dayes; music published in the UK by YD Music-Kobalt Music Publishing and Sentric Music
Crazymad, for Me; written and performed by CMAT; music published in the UK by BMG
False Lankum; written by Daragh Lynch, Ian Lynch, Cormac MacDiarmada and Radie Peat; performed by Lankum; music published in the UK by Beggars Music
Lahai; written and performed by Sampha; music published in the UK by Young Songs-Sony Music Publishing
My 21st Century Blues; written by Raye and Mike Sabath; performed by Raye; music published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music Ltd and Sony Music Publishing
Best contemporary song
“Back on 74”; written by Lydia Kitto, J Lloyd and Tom McFarland; performed by Jungle; music published in the UK by Handsome Dad Publishing-Sony Music Publishing and Kobalt Music Publishing
“Enough”; written by Brian Eno, Fred Gibson, Buddy Ross and Winnie Raeder; performed by Fred again.. & Brian Eno; music published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing, Promised Land Music-Sony Music Publishing, Heavy Duty-Kobalt Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music Ltd
“Geronimo Blues”; written by Kwake Bass, Peter Bennie, Biscuit, Raven Bush and Kae Tempest; performed by Speakers Corner Quartet feat. Kae Tempest; music published in the UK by Warp Publishing and Domino Publishing Company
“Mama’s Eyes”; written by Todd Dulaney, Ines Dunn, Barney Lister and METTE; performed by METTE; music published in the UK by MNRK Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing, Promised Land Music-Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music Ltd“Water”; written by Imani ‘Mocha’ Lewis, Corey Lindsay-Keay, Jackson Lomastro, Ari PenSmith, Rayo, Sammy Soso and Olmo Zucca; performed by Tyla; music published in the UK by Always Forward Thinking-Kobalt Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music Ltd, Concord Music Publishing and Sony Music Publishing
Best song musically and lyrically
“Black Friday”; written by Laurie Blundell, Max Clilverd and Tom Odell; performed by Tom Odell; music published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing-UROK Music Publishing
“Black Swan”; written by Victoria Canal, Jonny Lattimer and Eg White; performed by Victoria Canal; music published in the UK by Second Songs-Sony Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music Ltd and Universal Music Publishing
“Spirit 2.0”; written by Yussef Dayes and Sampha; performed by Sampha; music published in the UK by YD Music-Kobalt Music Publishing and Young Songs-Sony Music Publishing
“Sunshine Baby”; written by Amber Bain; performed by The Japanese House; music published in the UK by Dirty Hit Songs-Kobalt Music Publishing
“The Narcissist”; written by Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree; performed by Blur; music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing and BMG
PRS for Music Most Performed Work
“As It Was”; written by Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson and Harry Styles; performed by Harry Styles; music published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing and Pulse Songs-Concord Music Publishing
“Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2”; written by Ice Spice, Mura Masa and PinkPantheress; performed by PinkPantheress & Ice Spice; music published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing, BMG and Sony Music Publishing
“Giving Me”; written by Conor Bissett, Robert Griffiths and Jazzy; performed by Jazzy; music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing
“Sprinter”; written by Central Cee, Dave, Jo Caleb and Jonny Leslie; performed by Dave & Central Cee; music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music Ltd and Kobalt Music Publishing
“Strangers”; written and performed by Kenya Grace; music published by Warner Chappell Music Ltd
Rising Star Award With Amazon Music
Blair Davie
Chrissi
Elmiene
Master Peace
Nino SLG
Best original film score
Poor Things; composed by Jerskin Fendrix; music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse; composed by Daniel Pemberton; music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing
Typist Artist Pirate King; composed by Carly Paradis
Best original video game score
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare III; composed by Walter Mair
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor; composed by Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab; music published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing
Tin Hearts; composed by Matthew Chastney; music published in the UK by Sentric Music
Best television soundtrack
Boat Story; composed by Dominik Scherrer; music published in the UK by Du Vinage Publishing and Sony Music Publishing
Slow Horses Season 3; composed by Daniel Pemberton and Toydrum; music published in the UK by Apple-Sony Music Publishing
The Crown The Final Season; composed by Martin Phipps; music published in the UK by Du Vinage Publishing and Sony Music Publishing
The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies; composed by Arthur Sharpe; music published in the UK by BDi Music obo Sister Pictures and Rights Worldwide
Three Little Birds; composed by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell