06/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/17/2025 13:14
ASCAP Golden Note Award for Mick Hucknall marks Simply Red's 40TH Anniversary
Lola Young Named ASCAP Vanguard Artist
Dario Marianelli Recognised for the Top Box Office Film of the Year for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
London, 17 June 2025 - ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, today announces its top UK songwriters and composers, recognising their global success with the society's most prestigious honours.
Following his ASCAP Vanguard Award in 2024, Cian Ducrot earned his first Grammy (Best R&B Song) for co-writing the global sensation "Saturn" for SZA. The work sees Ducrot honoured for Song of the Year as well as Top Streaming Song by ASCAP.
Written and performed by Kenya Grace, the worldwide hit "Strangers" brings her the recognition for the Top Hot Dance/Electronic Song (Grace received the ASCAP Global Impact Award last year).
In the film and TV categories, composer Dario Marianelli was applauded for his score for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, which was named Top Box Office Film of the Year.
The private "ASCAP London Celebrates Creators" event at The Shard in London also witnessed the celebration of Mick Hucknall and Simply Red with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award, marking 40 years of global success. The Golden Note is one of the top acknowledgments that ASCAP bestows upon songwriters and composers who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. The night also continued the success of South London singer-songwriter Lola Young, who received the ASCAP Vanguard Award. The ASCAP Vanguard recognises ASCAP members whose innovative work is helping to shape the future of music.
The longevity and influence of UK songwriters was also recognised, with Josh Lloyd-Watson, Tom McFarland and Lydia Kitto who make up Jungle being honored with a Winning Hot Dance/Electronic Song award for "Back on 74;" Isabella Summers and Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine applauded for their contribution to Drake's "Rich Baby Daddy" which was named a Winning Hot 100 Song and Winning Streaming Song; whilst Norma Winstone and the late John Taylor of Azimuth were acknowledged for their sample on Drake's "IDGAF," another Winning Hot 100 Song.
Elsewhere, Artemas collaborator Toby Daintree was recognized for co-writing Winning Hot 100 Song "I Like the Way You Kiss Me" and Dan Balan was highlighted for co-writing Winning Hot Dance/Electronic Song "I Don't Wanna Wait" (performed by David Guetta and OneRepublic).
Composers for popular TV shows were also honoured for success with Top Streaming Series awards, including Daniel Pemberton and Toydrum for Slow Horses, Rael Jones for My Lady Jane, Alex Somers for Under the Bridge and Joby Talbot for Sing Thriller.
Additionally, talented duo Julian Gingell and Barry Stone receive the honour of Top Network Series for the third consecutive year for their theme to hit television show American Idol.
Top Box Office Film accolades went to composers Robin Carolan for Nosferatu, Geoff Barrow (of Portishead) and Ben Salisbury for Civil War, Christopher Benstead for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Daniel Pemberton for Fly Me to the Moon,Raffertie for The Substance and Daniel Blumberg for The Brutalist. A Top Steaming Film honour went to Amelia Warner for her work on Young Woman and the Sea.
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A full list of the songwriters celebrated is available at: https://www.ascap.com/londonawards25.
About ASCAP
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than one million songwriters, composers and music publishers, and represents some of the world's most talented music creators. In 2024, ASCAP reported record-high financial results of $1.835 billion in revenues and $1.696 billion available in royalty distribution monies to its members. Over the last eight years, ASCAP has delivered a 7% compound annual growth rate for total revenues, and an 8% compound annual growth rate for total royalty distributions to members. Founded and governed by songwriters, composers and publishers, it returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar collected to its members as royalties and has the lowest overhead rate of any U.S. PRO. ASCAP licenses a repertory of over 20 million musical works to hundreds of thousands of businesses that use music, including streaming services, cable television, radio and satellite radio and brick and mortar businesses such as retail stores, hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. ASCAP collects the licensing fees, and identifies, matches, processes and pays royalties to its members for trillions of performances every year. The ASCAP blanket license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. ASCAP puts music creators first, advocating for their rights and the value of music on Capitol Hill, driving innovation that moves the industry forward, building community and providing the resources and support that creators need to succeed in their careers. Learn more and stay in touch at https://www.ascap.com, on X and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.
# # #For more information, please contact:
Doug Wright, LD Communications, doug.wright@ldcommspr.uk
Nathan Diamond, LD Communications. Nathan.diamond@ldcommspr.uk
Henry Oliver, LD Communications, henry.oliver@ldcommspr.u