Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet will likely be named a BMI Icon on the 2023 BMI London Awards, to be held Oct. 2 at The Savoy Lodge. The personal occasion will likely be hosted by BMI president & CEO Mike O’Neill.
Kemp is best-known for writing Spandau Ballet’s swoon-inducing 1983 smash “True.” The track topped the Official U.Ok. Singles Chart for 4 weeks and reached No. 4 on the Billboard Scorching 100. Eight years later, it was sampled in PM Daybreak’s “Set Adrift on Reminiscence Bliss,” a No. 1 hit on the Scorching 100.
As well as, producer Richard Isong, higher often known as P2J, will obtain the BMI Impression Award, which acknowledges ground-breaking artistry, inventive imaginative and prescient and impression on the way forward for music. This marks the primary time a producer has obtained this honor.
“We’re in for an thrilling evening celebrating our BMI household of U.Ok. and European songwriters, composers and music publishers,” O’Neill stated in an announcement. “We’re thrilled to pay tribute to the legendary Gary Kemp in recognition of his unbelievable inventive accomplishments. His timeless songs have reached a number of generations, leaving a long-lasting impression on the world of leisure and impressed many to observe in his footsteps. We’re additionally honoured to current P2J with the BMI Impression Award. His work is a testomony to the unifying energy of music in bridging cultures and charming audiences worldwide.”
The ceremony may also honor the U.Ok. and European songwriters and publishers of the earlier 12 months’s most-performed songs on U.S. streaming, radio and tv from BMI’s repertoire. The Million-Air Awards, track of the 12 months, and awards for pop, movie, tv and cable tv music may also be offered all through the night.
Kemp is likely one of the most profitable songwriters to return out of the New Romantic period in British pop music. As a founding member and guitarist for Spandau Ballet, Kemp wrote the lyrics and music for all the band’s hits. “True” has obtained greater than 5 million airplays in North America alone. “Gold,” “Communication” and “Solely When You Go away” additionally made the Scorching 100.
Kemp’s songs have been sampled by many artists, together with Backstreet Boys, PM Daybreak, Nelly, Paul Anka, Rui da Silva and Lloyd. As a solo artist, Kemp has launched two albums for Columbia Data, Little Bruises (1995) and Insolo (2021). He’s additionally written two musicals with Man Pratt, with whom he at the moment co-hosts a podcast referred to as the Rockonteurs. For the final 5 years, Kemp has toured with Nick Mason’s band Saucerful of Secrets and techniques as co-lead singer and guitarist.
Kemp can also be an achieved actor and writer. He has appeared in a number of movies, together with the 1992 blockbuster The Bodyguard and the British crime thriller The Krays. In 2009, he authored his autobiography, I Know This A lot: From Soho to Spandau.
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 recipients together with Bee Gees, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Ray Davies, Peter Gabriel, Queen, Sting and Van Morrison.
P2J will likely be acknowledged with the BMI Impression Award for the affect he’s had on the way forward for music. Earlier winners are Tems, RAYE and Arlo Parks.
For the previous decade, P2J has established himself as an in-demand producer via his work with chart-topping artists resembling Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Doja Cat, Gorillaz, Ed Sheeran and WizKid. His work spans a number of genres, together with pop, grime, rap and Afrobeats. P2J obtained his first Grammy nomination late final 12 months – album of the 12 months – for his work on Beyoncé’s Renaissance. His music has amassed greater than a billion streams.
