Songwriters and composers are the epicentre of the music industry: music simply wouldn’t exist without them. Fresh lyrics, smart songwriting and meticulously crafted compositions and arrangements fuse to form songs that hold the power to shape cultures. A list of 110 songwriters and composers, published today by PRS for Music, spotlights the voices that are redefining boundaries within the artform.
Celebrating PRS for Music’s 110th year, the list* is based on exclusive data capturing some of the promising creative talent whose storytelling and sound is charting the industry forward.
From the silky harmonic lyrics of Asha Gold, to the high-energy, fast-paced music of I.JORDAN, the poetic words of Antony Szmierek, to the riotous sounds of Fat Dog, and British rapper Nemzzz’s unique rhythmic words; these writers adeptly convey shared and unique life experiences that tune into the cultural temperature in a way that resonates with listeners far and wide.
Founded in 1914, today, PRS for Music represents the rights of more than 175,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers. Recent figures revealed by the organisation show the writing community is thriving. Last year, over 10,000 songwriters and composers joined the organisation, a crucial step in a songwriter’s professional journey. This is more than in any previous 12-month period, with a staggering 37,000 music creators joining in the past five years. Since 2019, the PRS membership has grown by 20%.
The list celebrates British Animation Awards winners Porter & Please, All of Us Strangers composer Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch, Ivor Novello Award nominee Benjamin Kwasi Burrell and composer Daniel Kidane, who are all at the forefront of experimentation in their fields. Gracing concert halls and the big screen, their compositions draw out intense emotional reactions from audiences.
At a time when the creation of new songs is rising by the millions, last year PRS for Music reported 4.5 million new songs and compositions registered with the organisation, a whopping 74% rise since 2019, increasing the number of musical works it represents to 41 million.
While Ayra Starr, Priya Ragu and Shygirl’s blend of genres have drawn attention from fans around the world. It should come as no surprise that these trailblazers are part of the cohort who are challenging the pop power machine trend and successfully breaking the mould.
Music and innovation are often the catalyst for social and technological shifts that shape the world in which we live. While music creators today face different challenges to those in 1914, PRS continues to advocate on their behalf. In its mission to protect human creativity, it has established two charitable arms during its 110-year history.
For 90 years, PRS Members’ Fund has helped songwriters and composers during times of crisis and hardship. While PRS Foundation, which will celebrate its 25-year anniversary next year, has become the largest charitable funder of new music and talent development in the UK.
I.JORDON, Producer and DJ Mag Best of British award winner, said: “It's a real honour to be spotlighted in this list. As a trans artist it is really important for organisations to continue to spotlight and highlight underrepresented artists in the industry. Making music is a joy, and to receive the royalties from it via PRS is an added bonus and something that helps my creative output massively and ability to invest more time into my artistry.”
Asha Gold, singer-songwriter, said: “When I create music, there is always a purpose: whether that’s to connect with listeners through shared experiences, honesty and vulnerability; or to shine light on an important topic. I always strive to be as intentional as possible in my songwriting, giving thought to every word, rhyme, and rhythmic placement. PRS royalties are one of the most predictable sources of income in this industry, and are essential for us artists, financially, in bringing our creations to life. The costs of recording, mixing and mastering, and marketing are otherwise insurmountable. As independent artists, PRS enables us to retain our creative freedoms, while making a living.”
Antony Szmierek, songwriter and 6 Music Artist Of The Year 2023, said: “Writing for me is a compulsion, and as natural as sleeping or making a coffee. It’s not something I really have to think about. Not all the ideas are good - in fact most are terrible - but the act of writing and sharing how I feel with people doesn’t feel like an option. So to receive royalties, or more accurately have this quantifiable reward for connecting with people and getting my words out there, is one of the more surreal parts. To be on a list like this doubly so. PRS is something that keeps songwriters going, especially in the earliest stages. It’s a way of letting us know we’re onto something, and that being an artist is a viable career for everyone.”
*In alphabetical order
1. A1 x J1
2. Alfie Templeman
3. Andre Vibez
4. Anna Meredith
5. Antony Szmierek
6. Antslive
7. ArrDee
8. Asha Gold
9. Ayra Starr
10. Baba Ali
11. Baby Queen
12. Barry Can't Swim
13. Bellah
14. Bemz
15. Ben Hemsley
16. Benjamin Kwasi Burrell
17. BERWYN
18. Bob Vylan
19. Bree Runway
20. Brooke Combe
21. Bru-C
22. Caity Baser
23. Cassyette
24. Cat Burns
25. Cathy Jain
26. Celina Sharma
27. Central Cee
28. Charlotte Plank
29. Chelsea Carmichael
30. Coach Party
31. Cody Frost
32. Corto.alto
33. Dani Howard
34. Daniel Kidane
35. Dead Pony
36. Debbie
37. Deyah
38. Diana Drill
39. Digga D
40. Divorce
41. Do Nothing
42. Dry Cleaning
43. Ego Ella May
44. Elkka
45. Elles Bailey
46. Elmiene
47. Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch
48. Emma Rawicz
49. Emma-Jean Thackray
50. English Teacher
51. ENNY
52. Fat Dog
53. Flowerovlove
54. George Riley
55. Goddard.
56. Gretel Hänlyn
57. Hannah Laing
58. HotWax
59. I.JORDAN
60. Ishmael Ensemble
61. Jamal Green
62. Jayo
63. Jaz Karis
64. Jernade Miah
65. Jerskin Fendrix
66. Jeshi
67. Jessica Winter
68. Jockstrap
69. Joesef
70. Katy J Pearson
71. Kenya Grace
72. Lava La Rue
73. Liz Lawrence
74. Lola Young
75. Lynks
76. Mace The Great
77. Mafro
78. Master Peace
79. Matilda Mann
80. Meg Ward
81. Mica Millar
82. LONDON
83. Miso Extra
84. Nemzzz
85. Nieve Ella
86. Olivia Dean
87. Panic Shack
88. Philip Venables
89. Pip Millett
90. Piri & Tommy
91. Porter & Please
92. Prima Queen
93. Priya Ragu
94. Rachel Chinouriri
95. Rema
96. ROE
97. Shiva Feshareki
98. Shygirl
99. Sleep Token
100. Sukha
101. TAAHLIAH
102. Tamera
103. The Last Dinner Party
104. The Wandering Hearts
105. TSHA
106. Twinnie
107. Walt Disco
108. Wu-Lu
109. Wunderhorse
110. Yunè Pinku
