RAYE was among the influential names who were celebrated at the inaugural Ivors Academy Honours last night (2 October).
Hosted by the Ivors Academy at the InterContinental London Park Lane in the capital, the new ceremony highlighted the music creators and executives who are ‘setting higher standards across the sector, and whose advocacy, leadership and innovation are shaping a better future for songwriters and composers’.
Eight honourees were recognised during this year’s event for ‘championing songwriters and composers, helping to build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive music industry’. As well as RAYE, Kae Tempest, Sir Richard Branson, Jon Platt, Kanya King CBE, Sir Chris Bryant MP, Catherine Manners and the late John Sweeney were all honoured.
RAYE was recognised for her ‘outstanding advocacy and fearless leadership in championing fair treatment and recognition for songwriters’, with the Ivors Academy also noting how her campaigning helped secure per diems for UK songwriters.
Accepting her honour last night, RAYE said on stage: 'Being a songwriter is also one of the greatest privileges. I think it’s something that should be about grafting and talent, not about how rich you are, or to be in a good situation financially to be a songwriter.'
The ‘unique creative voice’ of Kae was also honoured, celebrating ‘their powerful artistry that has inspired cultural and social change, and strong advocacy for the LGBTQI+ community’.
Kae said of the honour last night: ‘This is my lifeforce. It’s the greatest joy of my life writing lyrics, music and creativity. It’s why I’m even still alive. We have access to the medicine as people that have access to creativity, and all the people that can’t access it for whatever reason in their life, they need it. If we can access it, we can allow others to access it. It’s very important work and powerful work, and it’s the greatest honour of my life. I feel very honoured to be in a room among others who feel the same.’
Among the other honourees was the late John Sweeney, whose career included a period as Director of Membership at PRS for Music and co-founding PRS Foundation in 2000. The Academy said that John was being posthumously recognised for ‘his tireless support and advocacy for songwriters, and his enduring legacy of generosity, integrity and kindness’.
Co-sponsored by PRS for Music, The Ivors Academy Honours continue the legacy of the Academy’s Gold Badge Awards. First held in 1974, those accolades were awarded to the likes of songwriter and campaigner Carla Marie Williams MBE, politician Kevin Brennan, Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis CBE, and activist and artist Bob Geldof.
