STORMZY, DAVE and Lil Simz are among the black British artists to be celebrated with an Ivor Novello nomination.

The award recognises the creative excellence in songwriting and screen composition within the UK and Irish music industry.

There are eight nomination categories – including Best Album, Best Song and Rising Talent – five of which, this year, feature black talent.

The annual ceremony has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the winners will be announced on Apple’s Beats One radio station at 11am on Wednesday 2 September.

Second nods for Dave and Stormzy

Lil Simz is up for Best Album alongside Inflo. Together they produced ‘Grey Area’, which was also nominated for a Mercury Prize.

Dave has been nominated for Best Contemporary Song for ‘Black’, which he wrote alongside Fraser T Smith.

It is the pair’s second time up for nomination in the category, having won in 2018 for ‘Question Time’.

Also up for the award is JHus for track ‘Must Be’, which he wrote with JAE5. 

The single is taken from his second studio album ‘Big Conspiracy’, which debuted at the top of the UK Albums Chart.

Stormzy is up for Best Song – Musically and Lyrically for ‘Crown’, which he wrote with MJ Cole and Jimmy Napes. 

His nomination follows his 2018 Best Album win for ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’.

Labrinth has been celebrated for Best Television Soundtrack for his talent on the HBO teen drama series Euphoria, on which he was the lead composer for.

Already up for Rising Star is Amahla, whose soulful voice has already garnered critical acclaim.

The singer-songwriter has been hailed for her performances at The Royal Albert Hall and Jazz Cafe.

Also touted for the award is Mysie, who dropped her debut EP ‘Chapter 11’ last year.

She has since dropped three additional singles – ‘Sweet Relief’, ‘Heartbeat’ and ‘Gift’.

See the full list of nominations here.