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Stars shine at the Ivor Novello Awards in London

Updated / Thursday, 19 May 2022 18:05

Rapper Dave and Ed Sheeran have been honoured at the Ivor Novello Awards during a ceremony that also featured a surprise appearance by global pop superstar Shakira.

The ceremony at Grosvenor House in London, now in its 67th year, saw 21 songwriters and composers collect Ivor Novello awards across 14 categories spanning music, film, TV and video games.

Songwriter of the year went to 23-year-old southeast London rapper Dave, whose second album We're All Alone in This Together won rave reviews.

It is his fourth Ivor Novello, having previously won Best Contemporary Song three times: for Question Time in 2018, Black in 2020 and Children of the Internet last year.

Sheeran claimed the Most Performed Work award for Bad Habits, alongside co-writers Fred Again and Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol.

Johnny McDaid Photo: Press Association

The win is Sheeran's fifth at the Ivors after success in 2018 with Shape of You - also co-written with McDaid - and 2012 with his breakthrough hit, The A Team.

Shakira, famed for hits such as Waka Waka and Hips Don't Lie, made a surprise appearance on the red carpet before collecting the Special International award, celebrating the global impact of the Colombian pop star.

Sam Fender claimed his first Ivor Novello for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for his classic rock-inspired track Seventeen Going Under, written about his teenage years in North Shields and the trials he and his family faced.

Sam Fender Photo: Press Association

Best Album went to singer-songwriter Laura Mvula and producer Dann Hume for Mvula's Pink Noise. Mvula also won Best Album in 2017 for The Dreaming Room.

Dann Hume and Laura Mvula Photo: Press Association

Best Contemporary Song went to music producer Dean 'Inflo' Josiah Cover and rapper Little Simz for I Love You, I Hate You, taken from her 2021 album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.

The win comes after success for the pair in 2020, when they secured an Ivor Novello for Little Simz' previous album, Grey Area.

For a third consecutive year since its creation in 2020, the Rising Star award went to a female artist.

Singer-songwriter Naomi Kimpenu, whose debut EP Prelude was released last year, was praised by the Ivors Academy for her "perfectly poised vocals and sincere songwriting".

Naomi Kimpenu Photo: Press Association

Elsewhere, the Music Icon award recognised the work of singer Robert Smith and bassist Simon Gallup from The Cure, whose gothic rock and post-punk melodies remain influential today.

The Cure's Simon Gallup and Robert Smith Photo: Press Association

Peter Gabriel, who rose to fame as the original lead singer of Genesis, received the Fellowship of the Ivors Academy in recognition of his "outstanding contributions as a musician, innovator, humanitarian and songwriter".

Paul Heaton was honoured with the Outstanding Song Collection award, which marked his work with The Housemartins, The Beautiful South and Jacqui Abbott.

Paul Heaton Photo: Press Association

Scottish band Cocteau Twins received the Visionary award.

Best Original Film Score went to Daniel Blumberg for The World to Come.

Daniel Blumberg Photo: Press Association

Best Original Video Game Score went to Richard Jacques for his work on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy.

Best Television Soundtrack went to Arthur Sharpe for the series Landscapers.

All Saints star Shaznay Lewis, who is an Ivor Novello winner and a judge for the Ivors, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled for this year's winners, who have joined an ever-expanding list of legendary songwriters and screen composers.

All Saints' Shaznay Lewis and Melanie Blatt Photo: Press Association

"It is a privilege to experience such an immensely powerful, emotive and eclectic range of music.

"Huge congratulations to everyone who took home awards, and every single songwriter and composer nominated."

Source: Press Association

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