Nominees revealed for the Ivor Novello Awards 2017

The spotlight were very soon be on the songwriting elite as the nominations for the Ivor Novello Awards 2017 have been revealed.

The Ivors celebrate, honour and reward excellence in songwriting and composing and this year sees the ceremony run into its 62nd year of existence having began way back in 1956. 

The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors released information on the lucky crop of talent in the running for this year's elite prizes, including Best Song Musically and Lyrically, Best Contemporary Song, Album Award, and PRS for Music Most Performed Work, which celebrates the material most utilised across broadcast, online and general performances.

Two British soloists and an Australian rock group make up the shortlist for the Album Award; two-time BRIT Awards 2017 nominee Michael Kiwanuka is given a nod for his Number 1 album Love & Hate, as is Laura Mvula for her latest collection The Dreaming Room, which was also nominated for last year's Mercury Prize. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are also commemorated in the category for their album Skeleton Tree, which reached Number 2 on the Official Albums Chart in 2016.

MORE: The Official Top 40 biggest songs of 2017 so far

In the Best Song Musically and Lyrically category, Michael and Laura are named once more for their tracks Black Man in a White World and Overcome, while Mystery Jets round out the category with their song Telomere.

Grime, dance and electronic genres are represented in the Best Contemporary Song group, with Skepta facing off against Neiked and Mura Masa ft. A$AP Rocky.

The 62^nd Ivor Novello Awards take place on Thursday 18^th May 2017 at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.

The full list on nominations for the 2017 Ivor Novello Awards are:

Best Song Musically and Lyrically
This award recognises excellence in songwriting craft; with particular reference to melody, lyrics, harmony and structure.

• Black Man in a White World
  Written by Dean ‘Inflo’ Josiah Cover and Michael Kiwanuka
  Published in the UK by Warner/Chappell Music Publishing
  Performed by Michael Kiwanuka

• Overcome
  Written by Laura Mvula and Nile Rodgers
  Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing and XLC Music - Sony/ATV Music Publishing
  Performed by Laura Mvula ft Nile Rodgers

• Telomere
  Written by Blaine Harrison and Henry Harrison
  Published in the UK by BMG UK
  Performed by Mystery Jets

Best Contemporary Song
This award recognises outstanding originality in songwriting; songs which capture the moment and/or explore the boundaries of contemporary music.  

• Love$ick
  Written by A$AP Rocky and Mura Masa
  Published in the UK by A$AP Rocky Publishing - Sony/ATV Music Publishing and
  Ministry of Sound Publishing
  Performed by Mura Masa ft A$AP Rocky

• Man
  Written by Skepta and Josh Homme
  Published in the UK by Warner/Chappell Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing
  Performed by Skepta

• Sexual
  Written by Dyo, NEIKED and Elina Stridh
  Published in the UK by Warner/Chappell Music Publishing and Kobalt Music Publishing
  Performed by NEIKED ft Dyo

Album Award
This award recognises exceptional songwriting and consistency across an album as a whole. 

• Love & Hate
  Written by Brian Burton, Dean ‘Inflo’ Josiah Cover and Michael Kiwanuka
  Published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music Publishing
  Performed by Michael Kiwanuka

• Skeleton Tree
  Written by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
  Published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing
  Performed by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

• The Dreaming Room
  Written by Laura Mvula
  Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing
  Performed by Laura Mvula

PRS for Music Most Performed Work
This award credits the work having received the most broadcast, online and general performances in the UK during 2016. It is compiled by The Ivors sponsor, PRS for Music.

• Adventure of a Lifetime
  Written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin
  Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing
  Performed by Coldplay

• Hymn for the Weekend
  Written by Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin
  Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing
  Performed by Coldplay

• When We Were Young
  Written by Adele Adkins and Tobias Jesso Jr
  Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing
  Performed by Adele

Best Original Film Score­­­­­­­­­­­­
This award recognises outstanding composition for a feature film and how well the music enhances the visual content.

• High-Rise
  Composed by Clint Mansell
  Published in the UK by Precision Engineering Music and Recorded Picture Company Ltd

• Kubo and the Two Strings
  Composed by Dario Marianelli
  Published in the UK by Muttnik Music Publishing

• My Scientology Movie
  Composed by Dan Jones
  Published in the UK by Faber Music Ltd

Best Television Soundtrack
This award recognises outstanding composition for a television programme and how well the music enhances the visual content.

• The Collection
  Composed by Dominik Scherrer
  Published in the UK by Du Vinage Publishing and Lookout Point

• The Witness for the Prosecution
  Composed by Paul Englishby
  Published in the UK by Imagem FTV

• War and Peace
  Composed by Martin Phipps
  Published in the UK by Du Vinage Publishing

The Ivor Novello Awards – Gift of BASCA Awards

On 18^th May, BASCA will announce the winners of both the nominated awards as well as those presented to outstanding songwriters and composers in recognition of their contribution to British music.

Alongside the nominated categories, other awards presented will include:

• International Achievement
  Honours a British or Irish songwriter or composer who has experienced exceptional success outside the UK.

• Lifetime Achievement
  In recognition of a lifetime of exceptional creative talent.

• Outstanding Song Collection
  For writing a consistently outstanding body of work.

• PRS for Music Outstanding Contribution to British Music
  Honouring an outstanding contribution to British music throughout their career.

• PRS for Music Special International Award
  Presented to an international songwriter or composer who has had an outstanding career, being or having been a major influence on the British music industry.

• Songwriter of the Year
  In recognition of an outstanding body of work released during the award year.

• The Ivors Jazz Award
  Recognises an outstanding collection of jazz compositions.  This is the second time The Ivors Jazz Award has been presented. 

• The Ivors Inspiration Award
  Honours a songwriter or composer who has inspired the creative talents of others.