The Ivors Academy has announced the five nominees for its Rising Star Award with Apple Music: Allegra, Holly Humberstone, Kamal., Rachel Chinouriri and Willow Kayne.
Singer-songwriter Allegra has worked with Grammy-winner Tim Fagan and Paul O’Duffy and performed on BBC’s The One Show and Jools Holland. Her debut single, “Spectacles,” and new single, “Excuse Me,” which was released earlier this year, both received airplay on BBC Radio.
Polydor signing Humberstone amassed more than 120m streams for her debut EP, Falling Asleep at the Wheel, and was named runner up in the BBC Sound of 2021. She was also chosen as Apple’s Up Next Artist last year. This summer, Humberstone will perform her first-ever headline shows, including four sold-out nights in London at Omeara.
Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kamal. ended 2020 at #5 in GQ's Best New Artists, with the Daily Telegraph acknowledging him as “U.K. music's answer to Billie Eilish.” Prior to him releasing his debut EP, war outside, on NBR last month, he featured alongside label-mate Dave on his track "Mercury." The collab landed Kamal. his first entry on the U.K. Top 40 and a spot on BBC Radio 1’s A List.
Singer and songwriter Chinouriri, who is signed to Parlophone, has had music featured in the TV series I May Destroy You and Netflix original series Dare You. She was named as one of the most influential young people in London by the Evening Standard as a part of their Progress 1000 list and has supported the likes of Celeste, Sam Fender and Lianne La Havas.
Sony artist Kayne’s latest single, “Don’t Wanna Know”—a fast-paced riposte to online trolls—follows her debut release, “2 Seater.” Her forthcoming EP fuses references from the rave and punk subcultures with elements of retro-futurism and Gen Z issues and experiences.
Each nominee will again receive a year-long mentorship from a well-established Ivors Academy member, who this year include Nile Rodgers and award-winning songwriters Fiona Bevan, Cathy Dennis, Jamie Hartman and Jamie Scott.
This year's ceremony will take place at Grosvenor House in London on 9/21.
