Hipgnosis steps up to sponsor Song of the Year category at A&R Awards 2021

Hipgnosis has signed on as sponsor of the Song of the Year category at the UK’s 2021 A&R Awards.

Founder Merck Mercuriadis said: “We are delighted to once again support the Song Of The Year at the A&R Awards. The song is the currency of the music business and at Hipgnosis we believe the songwriter should be appreciated, applauded and celebrated above all.”

The category was introduced in 2019 specifically to recognise the talents and achievements of the team behind the A&R community’s favourite UK-sourced hit of the past two years (usually 12 months, but, well, y’know).

The UK-focused event, presented by MBW, will take place on the evening of Tuesday, November 9, at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.

We’re expecting a sell-out, so please do snap up tables now to avoid disappointment.

Platinum tables have now sold out. We have a handful of Gold tables available: for more details, email Rebecca@musicbizworldwide.com.


Shortlists will be announced in the summer, with voting commencing closer to the awards themselves.

Other categories at the 2021 event will include Songwriter of the Year, Producer of The Year, A&R of the Year: Adult Contemporary, A&R Administrator, A&R of The Year: Contemporary Black Music, A&R Of The Year: Electronic/Dance, A&R of the Year: Pop/R&B, and A&R of The Year: Rock/Alternative.

There will also be winners announced in categories such as Major Label of The Year, Independent Label of The Year, Publisher of the Year, Management Company, and Artist To Watch (in association with Vevo), plus A&R Icon, the A&R Loyalty Award, and, of course, The Sir George Martin Award.

Abbey Road has already been confirmed as the headline sponsor for the event, and more big names will be announced as category sponsors over the coming weeks and months.Music Business Worldwide