Neneh Cherry to be named ‘pioneer’ at A&MAs

The Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) have revealed that Swedish-born singer and rapper Neneh Cherry will receive the pioneer award at the 2019 Artist & Manager Awards (A&MAs) in November.

The award, sponsored by Facebook, will be presented at the A&MAs on Thursday 14 November at the Bloomsbury Big Top in London. BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens will host the evening, which is sponsored by travel, lifestyle and hospitality brand Selina.

New Order managers Rebecca Boulton and Andy Robinson will pick up the managers’ manager award at the ceremony, with Nile Rodgers receiving the artists’ artist award.

Cherry has released five solo albums over a career spanning more than three decades. The artist kicked off her musical journey performing in post-punk bands the Slits and Rip Rig + Panic, before working with Bristol band Massive Attack on the album Blue Lines.

“Neneh Cherry has had an incredible career and her unique sound and energised performances have an ongoing influence

Cherry has also collaborated with artists including Michael Stipe, Robyn, Lenny Kravitz, Kieren Hebden (also known as Four Tet) and her husband, Cameron McVey.

A busy 2019 saw Cherry perform at Flow Festival, Way Out West, Pitchfork Music Festival, Latitude, Nice Jazz Festival, Roskilde, Primavera Sound and Glastonbury Festival, among others.

“[Cherry] has had an incredible career and her unique sound and energised performances have an ongoing influence made even more powerful by the fact that, having already reshaped musical culture and norms in music, she is still pushing creative and cultural boundaries decades later,” comments FAC board member Lucy Pullin.

“In partnership with Facebook and the illustrious board of the FAC we are delighted to honour Neneh Cherry with our pioneer award.”

Previous recipients of the award include Kano, Giggs, Imogen Heap and Amanda Palmer.

A full list of winners and nominees will be revealed in coming weeks.

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