Raye named Brits songwriter of the year - ahead of record nominations at show

Raye has been named songwriter of the year by the Brit Awards – on top of her record seven nominations going into the ceremony this weekend.

The singer-songwriter said she was “so honoured and blown away” to receive the prize, which is one of a handful announced before the event.

It comes after the star publicly parted ways with her record label in 2021 and made the decision to release music as an independent artist – which has so far also led to a number one single, a Mercury Prize nomination, and MOBO and Ivor Novello awards.

At the Brits, Raye has broken the record for the most nominations received by an artist in a single year – surpassing the six received in separate years by Gorillaz, Craig David and Robbie Williams.

She is up for prizes including best new artist, artist of the year, and album of the year for her debut record, My 21st Century Blues, and also has two entries in the song of the year category. Several bookies have made her favourite to win in the big categories.

‘I will treasure this’

The songwriter of the year award, which began in 2022, has previously been won by Ed Sheeran and British record producer Kid Harpoon, who worked with Harry Styles on the album Harry’s House.

“I will treasure this trophy very much,” Raye said of the songwriting trophy – her first Brit Award.

“I am so grateful to be recognised as a songwriter as this is a craft I am so passionate about and have been since I started my journey as a musician, and I’m very grateful to those who voted for me to have this award.”

Who else is up for awards?

Other awards announced before the ceremony include the global icon prize, which this year goes to Kylie Minogue.

Chase & Status have been named producers of the year, while indie rock band The Last Dinner Party have won the rising star award for up-and-coming talent.

Raye’s My 21st Century Blues faces tough competition for the album of the year prize from Blur’s The Ballad Of Darren, Little Simz’s No Thank You, J Hus’s Beautiful And Brutal Yard, and Young Fathers’ Heavy Heavy.

In the best artist category, she is up against the likes of Dua Lipa, Jessie Ware, J Hus, Arlo Parks, Olivia Dean, Little Simz, Fred Again.., Central Cee and Dave.

Her other nominations include song of the year for her viral hit, Escapism, featuring US rapper 070 Shake, and dance track Prada with Casso and D-Block Europe – meaning she can potentially bag six awards during the ceremony, which would take her to seven wins in total.

Brits committee chairman Damian Christian said of her success: “Raye has been such a prominent and respected songwriter for many years, so it’s great to see her getting the recognition she deserves on the biggest stage.”

The star is among those performing on the night, along with Dua Lipa, Minogue, Becky Hill and Chase & Status, and Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding.

The Brit Awards 2024, hosted by presenters Clara Amfo, Maya Jama and Roman Kemp, will take place at the O2 arena on Saturday night.

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