Plan B dominated the Ivor Novello Awards last night after he picked up three gongs.
The rapper turned soul musician, aka Ben Drew, was named Songwriter of the Year, his single “She Said” was hailed most performed track, while The Defamation of Strickland Banks scooped the best album award.
When he picked up his third award, a choked-up Drew spoke of how he wrote songs in his bedroom in east London after seeing his friends turn to heroin.
“I wanted to stand up for those kids, I wanted to write about those kids who were ignored and forgotten,” he said.
Drew was handed his award by Elton John who said that Defamation of Strickland Banks was his favourite record of the year.
Drew said that he planned to return to his hip-hop roots when making his next album.
“I am never going to make music that I don’t like because a record label is making me do it,” he said.
Tinie Tempah picked up the prize for best contemporary song for Pass Out, and Dizzee Rascal picked up the Ivors Inspiration Award.
Collecting his award, Dizzee said: “We are doing this shit! Thanks to everyone man, respect.”
Ivor Novello nominations: Plan B, Tinie Tempah make the cut
Irish outfit Villagers won the award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for “Becoming AJackal”, which didn’t even make the charts when it was released.
Picking up the award, Conor O’Brian said: “Holy shit. I see songs as self-rewarding so I’ll see this as a bonus to the incredible year we’ve had.”
