Kae Tempest to receive Ivors Academy Honour

Posted On September 1, 2025September 1, 2025

Kae Tempest is set to receive an Ivors Academy Honour for his artistry and society-shaping songwriting at an inaugural ceremony for the award in October. 

Instigated by the Ivors Academy, the honour is set to recognise artists who are helping to build “a stronger, fairer and more inclusive music industry”, for which Tempest is being commended for his work alongside the singer-songwriter Raye, as the first joint recipients of the award. 

The spoken word artist will receive the honour at a ceremony held at the InterContinental London Park Lane on October 2nd, 2025, hosted by Edith Bowman. 

Having come out as a transgender man at the beginning of the year and subsequently releasing his latest album Self Titled in July, Tempest’s work has taken on a salience in advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, which is part of the reason the Ivors Academy is bestowing the prestigious award on him. 

The chief executive of the Ivors Academy, Roberto Neri, said of Tempest’s artistry: “This Honour recognises Kae’s unique voice and advocacy for the LGBTQI+ community. Every word he writes is genius, inspirational and powerful beyond music. Kae is a beacon of light that informs and challenges in equal measure.”

Tempest himself also added: “Writing lyrics and creating music is my deepest joy. I love it so much and am over the moon to be recognised by the Ivors Academy and included in a long line of songwriters whose work I cherish and adore. It’s taken a lifetime to get to the point where I feel strong enough to show up for my community in my lyrics.”

The latest honour comes a year after Tempest won ‘Best Contemporary Song’ for ‘Geronimo Blues’ at the 2024 Ivor Novellos as part of Speakers Corner Quartet, having also picked up previous solo nominations in 2020 for ‘Best Album’ and ‘Best Contemporary Song’, respectively.

Tickets for the Ivors Academy Honours are on sale now.

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