ASCAP LONDON TO HONOUR MICK HUCKNALL & LOLA YOUNG

ASCAP logo Mick Hucknall Lola Young Paul Williams and David Stark

London, June 2025: ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, has announced that music icon Mick Hucknall and rising star Lola Young will be honoured with two of its most prestigious awards at the ASCAP Awards in London on June 17th. Marking Simply Red's 40th anniversary, Hucknall will receive the ASCAP Golden Note Award -- previously awarded to legends including Elton John, George Michael and Stevie Wonder. Meanwhile, Lola Young will be recognised with the ASCAP Vanguard Award, following a landmark year that saw her score a UK #1 with Messy and winning the 2025 Ivors Rising Star Award.

"Mick Hucknall has made an indelible mark on a generation with his impassioned vocals and classic songwriting," said ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams. "His singular mix of soul, funk and pop sounds made him a master of blue-eyed soul. We are thrilled to present him with the ASCAP Golden Note Award."

With over 60 million albums sold worldwide, five UK #1 albums, two billion streams across streaming platforms worldwide, and over one million YouTube subscribers, Mick Hucknall's Simply Red remain one of the UK's most successful bands. Hucknall formed Simply Red in 1985 in Manchester and enjoyed early success with first single "Money's Too Tight to Mention" and the Brit Award-nominated album Picture Book. This was followed by their breakthrough to superstardom and global hits. Simply Red have recently embarked on their 2025 40th Anniversary Tour across South America, Europe and the UK.

"Lola Young has captured fans around the globe with her honest, humorous and provocative music," continued Williams. "It is exciting to see the world recognise her talent and we know she will reach even greater heights with her career. We look forward to presenting her with the ASCAP Vanguard Award in recognition of her growing list of achievements."

Lola has over one billion streams globally across her catalogue and continues to achieve tremendous success. Her platinum-certified #1 single "Messy" from her 2024 album, "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway", held the top spot in the UK for four consecutive weeks, making Lola one of only two British female artists to reach #1 in the UK singles chart within the last year. At 24, she is also the youngest British artist to have a #1 single since Dave with "Starlight" in 2022, while "Messy" becomes the first #1 solo single from the youngest British female artist since Dua Lipa with "New Rules" in 2017.

The ASCAP London awards celebration will also celebrate the UK writers of the 2025 Song of the Year, Top Streaming Song, Top Hot Dance / Electronic Song, Top Box Office Film of the Year and many more. Follow #ASCAPAwards on Instagram, @ASCAP on Facebook and Twitter.

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