HAVE YOU Heard George’s Podcast? by George Mpanga, better known as George the Poet, has been nominated for a 2019 Peabody Award.

It is the first British podcast to receive a Peabody nomination, an award for excellence in storytelling in broadcasting and digital media.

We’re deeply grateful for every single listener who has brought us to this point

George the Poet

Out of nearly 1,300 entries, 60 are chosen as Nominees by unanimous vote of the Board of Jurors. 30 Nominees will be announced as Winners at a later date.

The much acclaimed podcast series isauniquely creative mix of storytelling, music and fiction which delivers a fresh take on inner-city life. It recently won Best Podcast at the NME Awards, Podcast of The Year at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards, plus seven awards at the 2019 British Podcast Awards.

It is also currently nominated for a Webby Awards for Best Podcast Series.

Through spoken word and sound design, and with an original score by collaborator Benbrick, George has explored various powerful themes and issues including education for disadvantaged young people, reflections on the Grenfell Tower, the Libyan slave trade and his personal relationship with Uganda and Britain.

George the Poet said: “It says a lot that the Peabody Awards have endorsed our podcast with a nomination – it’s the most experimental, creative thing we’ve ever done.

“People work their whole lives for this recognition, and we’re blessed to receive it so early – especially as the first British Podcast nominee ever! We’re deeply grateful for every single listener who has brought us to this point, and honoured to be in the company of so many greats from across the media. Thank you to Benbrick, my team and the amazing people at BBC Sounds. If I sound like we’ve already won, it’s because this nomination is a victory.”

Benbrick said: “We set out to create something we loved, without compromise. To be recognised by the Peabody Awards is hugely emboldening, not only to us, but to Sanyu, and to all the other ideas in George’s mind that are hoping to escape.”

Jason Phipps, Commissioning Editor for Podcasts on BBC Sounds, said: “Becoming the first British podcast to be nominated for a prestigious Peabody is an incredible achievement.

“It‘s testimony to how George Mpanga and Benbrick’s entry into podcasting shifted our expectations for narrative ambition and creativity, and in particular this nomination recognises how the podcast tells stories that matter.

“We want to support the best in UK podcasting and we’re very proud to be working with George the Poet and Paul Carter (Benbrick) to bring their unique storytelling to BBC Sounds and our listeners.”

The first two chapters of Have You Heard George’s Podcast are currently available to listen to on BBC Sounds, with the third chapter coming later this year.