The Ivor Novello Awards are the most prestigious songwriting awards in the UK and Ireland, and this year’s nominations have just been revealed. According to the award’s website, the 2020 nominations are recognising “works written by British and Irish songwriters and composers that were released in the UK in 2019.” The winners will be announced on the 2. September, and by taking a look at the nominations it seems like its going to be an interesting ceremony.
35 artists have the chance to win in eight different categories, including the new category “Rising Star Award with Apple Music”. Out of the 35 songwriters, only four are nominated in two categories. Rapper Kate Tempest and producer Dan Carey are nominated in the Best Album category for “The Book Of Traps And Lessons”, as well as Best Contemporary Song for “Firesmoke”. Jimmy Napes is nominated for his songwriting skills on Stormzy’s “Crown” and Sam Smith’s “Dancing With A Stranger”. Songwriter Jamie Hartman is also nominated for his contribution to two songs: Lewis Capaldi’s “Hold Me While You Wait” and the Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone collaboration “Giant”.
Stormzy himself is also nominated for his songwriting credits on “Crown”, whereas rap-colleague Little Simz is up for Best Album with her record “Grey Area”. Newcomer and fan-favourite Sam Fender has got a shot at Best Song Musically And Lyrically with his song “Dead Boys”.
YES!! @LittleSimz Absolute killer album, my fave of last year! The accolade that means the most, one for the craft of songwriting. #TheIvors https://t.co/GSLYHOp4PW
— Carl English (@carl_english) July 20, 2020
“I think it’s a good line-up,” Ivors Academy CEO Graham Davies has told Music Week. “We’ve got a good number of first-time nominees. What probably sticks out the most is the importance of the lyric, as spoken word and rap continues on from last year [in being represented]. The Ivors is at the forefront of recognising trends, and that’s an important one.”
The 65th Ivor Novello ceremony won’t be able to go ahead due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, instead the winners will be announced on the Apple Music Beats 1 Radio show by Matt Wilkinson, starting at 11am on September 2.
