British artist and songwriter Raye will be recognized with the Songwriter Advocate Award at the first-ever Ivors Academy Honours, celebrating those making meaningful change in the lives of composers and songwriters.
The awards ceremony is set to take place on 2 October at the InterContinental London Park Lane. Organized by the non-profit Ivors Academy, the event will spotlight figures who champion fairness, visibility, and sustainable careers for those behind the music.
“Raye is one of the most gifted songwriters of her generation and always gives full respect and voice to fellow writers,” said Ivors Academy chief executive Robert Neri in a statement. “She has consistently called for better pay and greater recognition for songwriters, championing structural change to protect the talent behind the music we love. We’re proud to honour her with this well-deserved recognition,” added Neri.
Raye’s journey to center stage hasn’t been without obstacles. She spent years penning chart-toppers for major artists like Beyoncé, John Legend, and Charli XCX, while her own aspirations as a performer were delayed by an uncooperative label. But her solo breakthrough finally arrived in 2023 with the release of her acclaimed debut album “My 21st Century Blues,” which went on to win British Album of the Year at the 2024 Brit Awards, among other accolades.
During her BRITs acceptance speech, Raye again used her platform to advocate for change, said, “British music industry, please — I want to have a lovely, brief conversation about normalizing [business by] giving songwriters master royalty points,” she said, earning loud applause from the crowd.
Last year, Variety also recognized her impact by awarding her its Triple Threat Hitmaker Award, highlighting her roles as artist, writer, and tireless advocate for the songwriting community.
As streaming continues to dominate music consumption, songwriters often find themselves on the losing end financially. “There has never been a greater need to stand up for the value of your songs,” said David Israelite, president of the National Music Publishers Association.
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