New figures reveal songwriting as a profession is growing

PRS for Music spotlights 110 songwriters and composers whose voices are redefining boundaries within the artform.

Songwriters and composers are the epicentre of the music industry: music simply wouldn’t exist without them. Fresh lyrics, smart songwriting and meticulously crafted compositions and arrangements fuse to form songs that hold the power to shape cultures. A list of 110 songwriters and composers, published today by PRS for Music, spotlights the voices that are redefining boundaries within the artform.

Celebrating PRS for Music’s 110th year, the list* is based on exclusive data capturing some of the promising creative talent whose storytelling and sound is charting the industry forward.

From the harmonic lyrics of Asha Gold, to the high-energy, fast-paced music of I.JORDAN, the poetic words of Antony Szmierek, rave-inspired sounds of Charlotte Plank, and British rapper Nemzzz’s unique rhythmic words; these writers adeptly convey shared and unique life experiences that tune into the cultural temperature in a way that resonates with listeners far and wide.

Founded in 1914, today, PRS for Music represents the rights of more than 175,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers. Recent figures revealed by the organisation show the writing community is thriving. Last year, over 10,000 songwriters and composers joined the organisation, a crucial step in a songwriter’s professional journey. This is more than in any previous 12-month period, with a staggering 37,000 music creators joining in the past five years. Since 2019, the PRS membership has grown by 20%.

The list celebrates orchestrator Dani Howard, All of Us Strangers composer Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch, Ivor Novello Award nominee Benjamin Kwasi Burrell and composer Daniel Kidane, who are all at the forefront of experimentation in their fields. Gracing concert halls and the big screen, their compositions draw out intense emotional reactions from audiences.

At a time when the creation of new songs is rising by the millions, last year PRS for Music reported 4.5 million new songs and compositions registered with the organisation, a whopping 74% rise since 2019, increasing the number of musical works it represents to 41 million.

While Ayra Starr, Priya Ragu and Shygirl’s blend of genres have drawn attention from fans around the world. It should come as no surprise that these trailblazers are part of the cohort who are challenging the pop power machine trend and successfully breaking the mould.

Music and innovation are often the catalyst for social and technological shifts that shape the world in which we live. While music creators today face different challenges to those in 1914, PRS continues to advocate on their behalf. In its mission to protect human creativity, it has established two charitable arms during its 110-year history.

For 90 years, PRS Members’ Fund has helped songwriters and composers during times of crisis and hardship. While PRS Foundation, which will celebrate its 25-year anniversary next year, has become the largest charitable funder of new music and talent development in the UK. 

*In alphabetical order

1. A1 x J1
2. Alfie Templeman
3. Andre Vibez
4. Anna Meredith
5. Antony Szmierek
6. Antslive
7. ArrDee
8. Asha Gold
9. Ayra Starr
10. Baba Ali
11. Baby Queen
12. Barry Can't Swim
13. Bellah
14. Bemz
15. Ben Hemsley
16. Benjamin Kwasi Burrell
17. BERWYN
18. Bob Vylan
19. Bree Runway
20. Brooke Combe
21. Bru-C
22. Caity Baser
23. Cassyette
24. Cat Burns
25. Cathy Jain
26. Celina Sharma
27. Central Cee
28. Charlotte Plank
29. Chelsea Carmichael
30. Coach Party
31. Cody Frost
32. Corto.alto
33. Dani Howard
34. Daniel Kidane
35. Dead Pony
36. Debbie
37. Deyah
38. Diana Drill
39. Digga D
40. Divorce
41. Do Nothing
42. Dry Cleaning
43. Ego Ella May
44. Elkka
45. Elles Bailey
46. Elmiene
47. Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch
48. Emma Rawicz
49. Emma-Jean Thackray
50. English Teacher
51. ENNY
52. Fat Dog
53. flowerovlove
54. George Riley
55. goddard.
56. Gretel Hänlyn
57. Hannah Laing
58. HotWax
59. I.JORDAN
60. Ishmael Ensemble
61. Jamal Green
62. JayO
63. Jaz Karis
64. Jernade Miah
65. Jerskin Fendrix
66. Jeshi
67. Jessica Winter
68. Jockstrap
69. Joesef
70. Katy J Pearson
71. Kenya Grace
72. Lava La Rue
73. Liz Lawrence
74. Lola Young
75. LONDON
76. Lynks
77. Mace The Great
78. Mafro
79. Master Peace
80. Matilda Mann
81. Meg Ward
82. Mica Millar
83. Miso Extra
84. Nia Archives
85. Nemzzz
86. Nieve Ella
87. Olivia Dean
88. Panic Shack
89. Philip Venables
90. Pip Millett
91. Piri & Tommy
92. Porter & Please
93. Prima Queen
94. Priya Ragu
95. Rachel Chinouriri
96. Rema
97. ROE
98. Shiva Feshareki
99. Shygirl
100. Sleep Token
101. Sukha
102. TAAHLIAH
103. Tamera
104. The Last Dinner Party
105. The Wandering Hearts
106. TSHA
107. Twinnie
108. Walt Disco
109. Wunderhorse
110. Yunè Pinku

Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, composer and Ivor Novello Award nominee: “It's such a privilege to be even considered a composer, I feel it's one of the most blessed ways to be part of the music industry. I am so grateful to be able to get up each day and create music in collaboration with other creative minds and have other wonderful musicians bring it to life. Many thanks to PRS for supporting this journey.”

Cassyette, songwriter and Heavy Music Awards winner, said: “Making music is everything to me, it has helped me express grief through art. I've also met some of the best collaborators and friends through the process of writing and performing music. PRS is an essential safety net to knowing my collaborators and I's work is protected as people continue to discover and listen to Cassyette.”

Asha Gold, singer-songwriter, said: “When I create music, there is always a purpose: whether that’s to connect with listeners through shared experiences, honesty and vulnerability; or to shine light on an important topic. I always strive to be as intentional as possible in my songwriting, giving thought to every word, rhyme, and rhythmic placement. PRS royalties are one of the most predictable sources of income in this industry, and are essential for us artists, financially, in bringing our creations to life. The costs of recording, mixing and mastering, and marketing are otherwise insurmountable. As independent artists, PRS enables us to retain our creative freedoms, while making a living.”

HotWax, raw punk powerhouse trio, said: “We feel really honoured to be part of this list. Songwriting is a massive part of our lives and it’s what brought us both together. It’s our biggest passion and allows us to express our feelings and personalities. It is super crucial that artists get credited and paid for their work. Let’s hope AI doesn’t take over songwriting in the future.”
Porter & Please, composers and Ivor Novello Award nominees, said: “Composing music in response to stories and film has become a huge part of our creative lifestyle. It’s a form of expression that teaches us to trust our own emotional responses, reach for an instrument, and enjoy the process of creating something new that can become part of the storytelling itself. It’s always a nice surprise to see where our music has reached and where PRS have collected royalties from.”

I.JORDON, DJ, producer and DJ Mag Best of British award winner, said: “It's a real honour to be spotlighted in this list. As a trans artist it is really important for organisations to continue to spotlight and highlight underrepresented artists in the industry. Making music is a joy, and to receive the royalties from it via PRS is an added bonus and something that helps my creative output massively and ability to invest more time into my artistry.”

Mica Millar, songwriter and Jazz FM Award winner, said: “I feel very grateful to be able to live a life that’s centred around my passion for writing and creating music and it’s a real honour to be acknowledged by PRS for my work….royalties are so significant for independent writers/artists. My last royalty payment has helped me finance the creation of my second album.”

TAAHLIAH, songwriter, DJ and AIM Award winner, said: "Songwriting is truly such a transformative process for me. Catharsis through my work is an important aspect of that process, with each song holding a small piece of my own experience - it’s the greatest feeling when people are able to connect and relate to those moments.”

The Wandering Hearts, singer-songwriters and UK Americana Awards nominees, said: “It is such a privilege to be included in this list by PRS especially after all the support they have given and continue to give us; From making trips to AmericanaFest possible, to just keeping us alive at a time when making music can seem so challenging, but the importance of creating art to meet those challenges has never been more important.”

Emma Rawicz, Jazz musician and saxophonist, said: “It’s a great honour to be included in this list of songwriters and composers by PRS. As a composer relatively early on in my career, I feel very passionate about the importance of writing and sharing original music regardless of genre or performance space. New music is vital because it allows us to grow and learn together, and it should be for everyone. While I am a jazz musician at heart, the point of writing music goes far beyond that for me, and aims to connect with anyone that chooses to hear my music, from a place of joy.”

Antony Szmierek, songwriter and 6 Music Artist Of The Year 2023, said: “Writing for me is a compulsion, and as natural as sleeping or making a coffee. It’s not something I really have to think about. Not all the ideas are good - in fact most are terrible - but the act of writing and sharing how I feel with people doesn’t feel like an option. So, to receive royalties, or more accurately have this quantifiable reward for connecting with people and getting my words out there, is one of the more surreal parts. To be on a list like this doubly so. PRS is something that keeps songwriters going, especially in the earliest stages. It’s a way of letting us know we’re onto something, and that being an artist is a viable career for everyone.”

About PRS for Music

Here for music since 1914, PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 175,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers. Redefining the global standard for music royalties, PRS for Music ensures songwriters and composers are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. 

For 110 years it has grown and protected the rights of the music creator community, paying out royalties with more accuracy, transparency and speed. In 2023, PRS for Music paid out £943.6m in royalties and collected a record £1.08 billion in revenues. prsformusic.com