SKEPTA WINS BIG AT IVOR NOVELLO AWARDS

Looks like grime has gone legit. One of the genre’s most influential practitioners, Skepta, took home both Songwriter of the Year and Best Contemporary Song for the hit single “Man,” at London’s Ivor Novello Awards Thursday.

Repped by Warner/Chappell Music UK, Skepta’s victory came in recognition his landmark Konichiwa release, which has already earned him the 2016 Mercury Prize.

Overall, it was a big night for Warner/Chappell, as Michael Kiwanuka won for Best Song Musically & Lyrically with “Black Man in a White World” and Dario Marianelli took top honors for Best Original Film Score with Kubo and the Two Strings.

Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO of Warner/Chappell, said: “Skepta is a groundbreaking songwriter, and we're thrilled to see his exceptional talent acknowledged with two of the Ivors’ biggest honors. This is also a great moment for Amber Davis, the A&R executive who had the vision to support the grime community very early on, and bring many of its leading lights to Warner/Chappell.”

Added Mike Smith, Managing Director of Warner/Chappell UK: “I’m so proud that Skepta has been named Songwriter of the Year at the Ivors. It’s well-deserved recognition for an artist and songwriter who spearheaded the development of the grime scene and marks a significant coming of age for the most exciting genre of music in Britain today. I also congratulate Michael Kiwanuka and Dario Marianelli who’ve been recognized today for their amazing talent.”