“We’re in for an thrilling night time celebrating our BMI household of UK and European songwriters, composers and music publishers,” stated O’Neill. “We’re thrilled to pay tribute to the legendary Gary Kemp in recognition of his unbelievable artistic accomplishments. His timeless songs have reached a number of generations, leaving an enduring impression on the world of leisure and impressed many to observe in his footsteps. We’re additionally honoured to current P2J with the BMI Influence Award. His work is a testomony to the unifying energy of music in bridging cultures and charming audiences worldwide. We stay up for celebrating all of the 2023 BMI London Award winners with a unbelievable night of music. It’s going to be an evening to recollect.”
The ceremony additionally pays tribute to the UK and European songwriters and publishers of the earlier yr’s most-performed songs on US streaming, radio and tv from BMI’s repertoire of over 20.6 million musical works. The Million-Air Awards, Track of the Yr, and awards for Pop, Movie, Tv and Cable Tv Music will even be offered all through the night.
With a profession spanning greater than 40 years, Gary Kemp is likely one of the most profitable songwriters to return out of the New Romantic period in British pop music historical past. As a founding member and guitarist for 80’s supergroup Spandau Ballet, Kemp wrote the lyrics and music for all of the band’s 23 hit singles, together with the large pop mainstays “True” and “Gold,” in addition to classics “Via the Barricades,” “Solely When You Go away,” “To Lower a Lengthy Story Quick” and “Chant No. 1,” to call a couple of. His songs have been featured in over 100 movies, numerous TV reveals, and promoting campaigns across the globe, and talking to the longevity of his music, 2023 marks the fortieth Anniversary of the smash hit “True,” which has obtained over 5 million airplays in North America alone. As well as, his timeless songs have been sampled by many artists, together with the Backstreet Boys, PM Daybreak, Nelly, Paul Anka, Rui da Silva and Lloyd. As a solo artist, Kemp has launched two albums for Columbia Information, Little Bruises (1995) and Insolo (2021). He’s additionally written two musicals with Man Pratt, with whom he presently co-hosts a preferred podcast referred to as the Rockonteurs, and for the final 5 years, Kemp has toured the world with Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason’s band Saucerful of Secrets and techniques as co-lead singer and guitarist.
Past his work in music, Kemp is an achieved actor and writer. He’s appeared in a number of movies, together with the profitable British crime thriller “The Krays” and the Hollywood blockbuster “The Bodyguard.” In 2009, he authored the critically acclaimed autobiography I Know This A lot: From Soho to Spandau.
Amongst his accolades, Kemp has obtained a Q Award, a BRIT Award, an IVOR Novello for Excellent Track Assortment and 5 BMI Awards. As a BMI Icon, he joins an elite group of earlier recipients together with The Bee Gees, Busta Rhymes, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Ray Davies, John Fogerty, David Foster, Peter Gabriel, the Jacksons, Carole King, Kris Kristofferson, Barry Manilow, Willie Nelson, Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, Queen, Nile Rodgers, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Sting, Van Morrison and Brian Wilson, amongst others.
Along with honouring Kemp, Richard “P2J” Isong can be recognised with the BMI Influence Award for the affect he’s made on the way forward for music. In receiving this honour, he joins earlier winners Tems, RAYE and Arlo Parks.
For the previous decade, P2J has established himself as an in-demand and influential producer via his work with international chart-topping artists resembling Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Doja Cat, Gorillaz, Ed Sheeran and WizKid, amongst others. He’s identified for creating uncooked expertise and serving to artists discover their sound via his capability to work seamlessly throughout a number of genres, together with pop, grime, rap and Afrobeats, weaving emotion and rhythm into every creation. He’s obtained a number of accolades, together with GRAMMY, Soul Prepare and BMI awards, and his music has amassed over a billion streams.
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