Raye reiterated her calls for a better deal for songwriters from labels during an acceptance speech at the Ivors Honours.
The inaugural ceremony for the Ivors Honours was held at the InterContinental, London Park Lane (October 2). It was hosted by Edith Bowman.
The Honours recognise advocates and innovators who champion songwriters and composers and help to build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive music industry.
As a launch event, the Honours helped to make the case for the crucial role of songwriters in the music ecosystem as the winners (and those presenting trophies) spoke about their own experiences in the sector.
Jon Platt, chairman & CEO, Sony Music Publishing, used his acceptance speech to praise songwriters’ advocate and fellow honouree Raye for “pissing people off”.
Raye was honoured in recognition of her campaigning to drive positive change for songwriters and composers. It follows the breakthrough on per diem payments from labels for songwriters taking part in writing sessions.
Platt was previously a senior exec at Warner Chappell, which has had a long-term partnership with Raye. For recordings she is signed to Human Re Sources with distribution by The Orchard, which are both owned by Sony Music.
Jon Platt told the audience: “There’s someone in this room tonight where every time she speaks, I say, ‘She’s just pissing people off and I love every minute of it’ – and that’s Raye. Raye, I want to thank you and I want to applaud you for using your platform not just to perform, but to fight for songwriters… Continue to keep fighting, continue pissing people off – and I’m going to continue to keep loving every minute of it.”
Platt flew in from the US for 24 hours just to collect his Ivors Honour, which was presented by songwriter Carla Marie Williams.
“It’s an honour to be recognised by an Academy that fights so hard on behalf of songwriters,” said Platt, who also took the opportunity to thank Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer “for the trust that he gives me” and the support for Sony Music Publishing.
It’s an honour to be recognised by an Academy that fights so hard on behalf of songwriters
Jon Platt
Accepting her award from PRS For Music chair Stevie Spring, Raye – who was joined by her family and publishing team at Warner Chappell – reiterated her call for songwriter points on master recordings.
“I’m going to say it until it changes – master royalty points,” Raye told the audience. “The people who are writing that song should be getting master royalty points.”
Raye – who has a new Top 5 UK and Spotify Global hit with Where Is My Husband? – also addressed fairness in publishing splits.
“This industry has become exceptional at dividing us and putting us against each other,” she said. “I just want to encourage us when we’re getting into songwriting splits, call each other up. Let’s have a conversation about what we’re going to go back to the record label with, instead of being individually manipulated and told, ‘If you don’t approve this split today the song’s not coming out, if you don’t approve this split we’re never using you again.’”
Addressing the royalties balance between publishing and recordings, she added: “We’re not going to stop until songwriters are correctly compensated for their songs.”
MOBO founder Kanya King collected her award from Guvna B with walk-up song Survivor, which she said was a reference to a “challenging year for” following a stage four colon cancer diagnosis.
“I was given six months to live but it’s a year later,” she said to applause. “Every day to me feels like a blessing to do more.”
Acknowledging the “passion, faith and perseverance” of the MOBO team, King also applauded the songwriting community.
“To every songwriter and composer in this room, never doubt the power of your music, because your words and sounds don’t just entertain – they heal, they inspire and they change the world,” she said.
The full list of 2025 Ivors Honours recipients is below:
Catherine Manners, founder of Manners McDade
Jon Platt, chairman & CEO, Sony Music Publishing
Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade
John Sweeney (1959 - 2025), vice president, international at SESAC
Kae Tempest, artist and songwriter
Kanya King CBE, CEO and founder of the MOBO Group
Raye, artist and songwriter
Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group
Roberto Neri, chief executive of The Ivors Academy, said: “Tonight we honoured those whose courage and commitment remind us that music thrives when songwriters and composers are respected, protected and championed. This evening celebrated individuals who have built their own incredible careers, while also working tirelessly to build better industry practices - resulting in more fairness, equality and therefore a more sustainable future for all songwriters and composers, and the music industry itself.”
The Honours continue the legacy of the Academy’s Gold Badge Awards, first held in 1974, and previously awarded to figures including songwriter and campaigner Carla Marie Williams MBE, politician Kevin Brennan, Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis CBE and activist and artist Bob Geldof.
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