British singer-songwriter Raye, American rock star Bruce Springsteen and American musician Lana Del Rey have all been honored at the Ivor Novellos 2024. London-born Raye capped off her incredible recent success by being presented with Songwriter of the Year at the ceremony held at Grosvenor House, London, on Thursday.
The 26-year-old was described by Ivor’s judges as having “the voice of a generation” following the release of her chart-topping album, My 21st Century Blues. She previously made history at the Brits in March, winning six awards, the most by any artist in a year, including album of the year.
Accepting his Ivor Academy scholarship on stage in London, Bruce Springsteen reflected on not being able to find burgers in Britain when he came to his first gig decades ago. “Cheeseburgers were replaced by something called fish and chips,” he said. It was a little worrying.”
Springsteen joked that if London wasn’t ready for hamburgers, they weren’t “ready” for him. He also said he “longed to be British” and fans keep him “invested” in Britain. Springsteen said he wondered before coming to Britain: “What do I have that I can possibly give back to those who have given me so much?”
He said he wanted to “thank you for bringing me into the cultural life of Britain” and “for seeing me as your own”.
But at the Ivor Novellos, Raye lost out on Best Album to Black Classical Music, written by Yussef Dayes, Rocco Palladino and Charlie Stacey. Skepta, Del Rey, KT Tunstall and Bernie Taupin are all gifts from the Academy recipients so they were honored at the event with their awards.
He was previously named the first international songwriter to be inducted into the fellowship. Springsteen follows in the footsteps of Sir Elton John, Kate Bush and Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney who have been awarded the body’s highest honour.
Tom Gray, Chairman of the Ivors Academy, said: “On behalf of the Ivors Academy and all the songwriters and composers we represent, it is an honor to recognize extraordinary work and the brilliant individuals behind it.”
“We know that, because they are selected by our peers, our awards are incredibly meaningful to their recipients. Ultimately, everyone knows that Ivors defines exceptional craftsmanship so a huge congratulations to all of our winners.”
The Rising Star award went to new indie artist Master Peace, while Sir Elton John’s songwriting partner Taupin was honored with Ivor Novello for Outstanding Contribution to British Music and Scottish singer Tunstall took home the gong for Outstanding Song Collection.
Taupin has previously won nine gongs at the event and this one came 50 years after his first win for Daniel with Sir Elton in 1974.
The PRS for most performed musical works went to London-born rappers Dave and Central Cee for Britain’s biggest song of 2023 Sprinter, while grime star Skepta took home the visionary award.
London jazz ensemble Speakers Corner Quartet and poet Kae Tempest won their first Ivor Novello when Geronimo Blues was named best contemporary song.
2023 Rising Star recipient Victoria Canal won Best Song Musically and Lyrically for Black Swan alongside Jonny Lattimer and Eg White. The 25-year-old German-born musician, who has lived in Spain and the US, also performed his track on the night.
Winners for Best Score for Motion Pictures, Television and Games went to Oscar-nominated British composer Jerskin Fendrix’s score for surreal black comedy Poor Things, starring Emma Stone; Arthur Sharpe for BBC comedy drama, The following events are based on a pack of lies; respectively Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
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