Warner/Chappell Music (WCM) UK songwriter MNEK was honoured with the ASCAP Vanguard Award at the 2016 ASCAP Awards in London last night.
The Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer and recording artist has co-written for artists including Beyoncé and Madonna, as well as achieved huge success performing his own songs, and signed to WCM UK in 2015. The Vanguard Award recognises the impact of outstanding members of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) who will help shape the future of music.
MNEK said: “I am so grateful to have won this award. My first love and passion is music and writing songs, so to be recognized in this extraordinary way by my peers, friends and colleagues is simply incredible. I am honoured and humbled by this wonderful accolade – It’s a really dope feeling!”
Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO, Warner/Chappell Music, said: “Warner/Chappell has had the privilege of working with MNEK for almost two years, and it’s been an enormous pleasure to watch his career continue to blossom as he helps shape the sound of pop music internationally. I couldn’t be more proud of his rapid ascent and congratulate him on this prestigious moment.”
Mike Smith, Managing Director of WCM UK, added: “It’s fantastic that ASCAP has recognised the significant impact MNEK’s songwriting is having on pop music. From writing for superstars such as Beyoncé and Madonna to performing his own songs, MNEK has already enjoyed amazing success at an incredibly young age. Everyone at Warner/Chappell is keen to support him as he develops his career still further in the years ahead.”
MNEK co-wrote, produced and performed with Zara Larsson on the song “Never Forget You” which became a global hit, topping the charts in Sweden and reaching the Top 10 in many other countries with over 3.5 Million sales globally. The track was also certified Platinum in the US and spent two weeks on top of the Dance Billboard Chart. In total, MNEK has been involved with 13 UK Top 20 singles to date – including Oliver Helden’s No. 1 single “Gecko” – and he has only just celebrated his 22nd birthday this week.
MNEK received the Vanguard Award alongside singer-songwriter Jess Glynne at a glittering event held at One Embankment venue in London. Previous recipients of ASCAP’s Vanguard Award have included WCM songwriter Kendrick Lamar, WCM songwriter Nate Ruess of fun., Diplo, Calvin Harris, and Janelle Monáe.
