The nominations for the 2025 Ivor Novello Awards have been announced, with Lola Young, RAYE, Ghetts and Charli XCX taking spots on the shortlists. The ceremony will take place at Grosvenor House, London, on Thursday 22 May 2025.

Lola Young has picked up the most nominations this year, including ‘Best Song Musically and Lyrically’ for her hit track ‘Messy’, ‘Best Album’ for her record ‘This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway’, and the ‘Rising Star’ award.

The ex-Brit School student shot to fame with her toxic relationship love song, ‘Messy’, which reached No. 1 in January, also topping worldwide charts including Australia and Ireland.

At the Ivors 2024, RAYE took home the ‘Songwriter Of The Year’ award. This year, she’s also nominated in the ‘Best Song Musically And Lyrically’ for her tune ‘Genesis’, and in the running for ‘Most Performed Work’ for ‘Prada’, a collaboration between her, Cassö, and D-Block Europe.

Charli XCX is also in the race for the ‘Best Album’ award with her rave-influenced record ‘BRAT’ that took the world by storm in 2024. Other names in the ring for the award are UK rapper/grime legend Ghetts with his highly praised fourth album ‘On Purpose, With Purpose’, and multi-talented musician/producer Berwyn, with his debut studio album ‘WHO AM I’.

Ghetts has also scored a shot at the ‘Best Contemporary Song’ category with his tune ‘Double Standards (feat. Sampha), his second nomination of this year’s awards. Other artists in contention for this prize include JADE with ‘Angel of My Dreams’, Sans Soucis with ‘Circumnavigating Georgia’, Bashy with ‘How Black Men Lose Their Smile’ and Pa Saileu with ‘Allergy’.

In March, it was announced that U2 would receive ‘Fellowship Of The Ivors Academy’, the highest honour that the organization can give. This places the band alongside iconic names such as Sir Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, Elton John and Bruce Springsteen, who was the first international songwriter to receive the award last year.

This year marks the 70^th anniversary of the illustrious awards. The Ivors were made to celebrate the craft and artistry of songwriters. They are judged peer-to-peer by songwriters and composers, for songwriters and composers, rather than by industry representatives or broader audiences.

Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy, shared his excitement for the 2025 Ivors: “Everyone knows The Ivors are the most joyful celebration of music making in the calendar. Many of the most talented and creative people on the planet get together to celebrate each other’s exceptional originality and craft. Congratulations to all of the remarkable nominees this year. It’s a huge privilege for The Ivors Academy to champion music creation in all its forms.”

Roberto Neri, Chief Executive of The Ivors Academy, also said: “An Ivor Novello Award holds a unique place in music, as it is judged by fellow songwriters and composers, making it the most respected acknowledgement of creative excellence. We are proud to welcome and celebrate the nominees’ achievements and look forward to honouring their work at the 70th edition of The Ivors in May.”

The full list of nominees can be seen below:

Best album

Best contemporary song

Best song musically and lyrically

Most performed work

Rising star

Best original film score

Best original video game score

Best television soundtrack