"ASCAP London Celebrates Creators" toasts global success of UK songwriters including Cian Ducrot, Kenya Grace, Jungle and more

18 June 2025 - Press release

ASCAP GOLDEN NOTE AWARD FOR MICK HUCKNALL MARKS SIMPLY RED'S 40^TH ANNIVERSARY 

LOLA YOUNG NAMED ASCAP VANGUARD ARTIST

DARIO MARIANELLI RECOGNISED FOR THE TOP BOX OFFICE FILM OF THE YEAR FOR GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE

 

 

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.