On a balmy June day in 2025, the iconic Worthy Farm in Pilton, England, pulsed with the rhythms of the Glastonbury Festival. Among the standout performances was Raye, the South London singer-songwriter whose meteoric rise in the music industry has been as much about artistic triumph as advocacy. As she commanded the Pyramid Stage, few could have guessed that just months later she would be named among the inaugural recipients of the Ivors Academy Honours, a brand-new accolade celebrating those who champion songwriters and composers.
The announcement came on September 8, 2025, sending ripples through the music world. Raye, alongside luminaries such as Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, MOBO Group chief executive Kanya King CBE, Sony Music Publishing CEO Jon Platt, Manners McDade founder Catherine Manners, Minister of State Sir Chris Bryant MP, and the late John Sweeney of SESAC, will be honored at the InterContinental London Park Lane on October 2. The event, hosted by broadcaster Edith Bowman, aims to shine a spotlight on those driving positive change for songwriters and composers—a mission that feels especially urgent in today’s rapidly evolving music landscape.
According to Billboard, the Ivors Academy Honours event is not just another awards ceremony. It is a deliberate continuation of the Academy’s legacy, picking up the mantle from the Gold Badge Awards, which began in 1974 and have recognized figures from Glastonbury founder Sir Michael Eavis to activist Bob Geldof. This year, the Academy is intent on recognizing those who have empowered the often-unsung architects of music: the songwriters and composers whose work forms the backbone of the industry.
Roberto Neri, chief executive of The Ivors Academy, captured the spirit of the occasion in a statement, saying, "Songwriters and composers are at the centre of music and The Ivors Academy Honours celebrate the people who empower and stand with them. I’m proud to announce this incredible list of cultural icons, entrepreneurs, visionaries and advocates. Together with the artistry of Raye and Kae Tempest, and in honour of the late John Sweeney, our honourees embody what it means to champion and make a lasting difference to the songwriting and composing community."
The event’s ethos—building a “stronger, fairer and more inclusive” music industry—resonates deeply with Raye’s own journey. Born Rachel Keen, Raye has become one of her generation’s most gifted songwriters, not just for her chart-topping hits but for her outspoken advocacy. Her 2023 Mercury Prize-nominated debut album, My 21st Century Blues, soared to No. 2 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, cementing her status as a force to be reckoned with. But her path has not been without obstacles. After signing to Polydor in 2014, Raye found herself locked in a stifling contract, unable to release new music unless her singles hit commercial benchmarks. In July 2021, she made the bold decision to part ways with the label, later sharing her frustrations with fans on social media. Since then, she has flourished as an independent artist under Human Re Sources, a subsidiary of The Orchard.
Raye’s advocacy is more than rhetoric. At The Ivors in 2023, she won the best contemporary song award for her smash hit “Escapism” and used her acceptance speech to call for better pay and respect for songwriters. She declared, "It is time for a greater level of respect to be shown towards the voiceless beating heart of the industry, which is songwriters." Her words echoed across the industry, amplifying a conversation about equity and recognition that has only grown louder.
Change, it seems, is in the air. The U.K. government recently confirmed the introduction of a £75 per diem for songwriters and session musicians—a move backed by the British arms of Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group. This measure, designed to help alleviate some of the financial pressures faced by the creative workforce, has been widely welcomed by advocates for musicians’ rights. For Raye and her peers, it is a concrete step toward the kind of structural change they have long demanded.
The Ivors Academy Honours event is also notable for its diverse roster of recipients. Alongside Raye and Kae Tempest—another celebrated songwriter and poet—are industry titans and advocates who have shaped the musical landscape from behind the scenes. Sir Richard Branson, whose Virgin brand has been synonymous with musical innovation for decades, and Kanya King, the driving force behind the MOBO Awards, are both being recognized for their roles in championing new talent and fostering inclusivity. Catherine Manners has made her mark as a publisher, while Jon Platt’s leadership at Sony Music Publishing has helped elevate countless songwriters. Sir Chris Bryant MP, as Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, is honored for his role in supporting the creative industries, and the late John Sweeney is remembered for his international advocacy at SESAC.
The honorees’ collective impact is hard to overstate. According to NationalWorld, the Ivors Academy Honours are designed to celebrate not only artistic achievement but also the visionaries and advocates who “help to build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive music industry.” The ceremony is intended as a bridge between generations, continuing a tradition of recognizing those who make lasting contributions to the songwriting and composing community.
Kae Tempest, reflecting on their own nomination, shared, "Writing lyrics and creating music is my deepest joy. I love it so much and am over the moon to be recognised by The Ivors Academy and included in a long line of songwriters whose work I cherish and adore. It’s taken a lifetime to get to the point where I feel strong enough to show up for my community in my lyrics. My music was always the place where I took refuge from the world. But it’s a beautiful feeling to celebrate the fullness of my experience in my work and see that resonating with other people. I’m full of gratitude for this moment and full of love for those who went before me and for those who will come after. I’ve received so much from music and I’m grateful for it every day, how beautiful to dedicate my life to giving with the same intensity with which I have received. I hope I get to do this for the rest of my life."
As the October 2 ceremony approaches, anticipation is building not just for the celebration itself, but for the broader conversation it represents. For artists like Raye, the recognition is both a personal milestone and a rallying cry for continued reform. Meanwhile, the Glastonbury Festival, where she recently dazzled over 200,000 fans, is preparing for a fallow year in 2026—a planned pause to let Worthy Farm recover before the next musical onslaught.
In a year marked by both celebration and change, the Ivors Academy Honours stand as a testament to music’s enduring power—and to the people working tirelessly to ensure that power is shared fairly, inclusively, and with the respect it so richly deserves.
