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The prestigious annual O2 Silver Clef Awards, held on June 30th 2023 to honour artists from across the music industry, and has so far raised £537,000 for Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity. This huge fundraising boost will help Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists to support some of the most vulnerable children and adults in the UK; helping those with autism, dementia, learning difficulties, brain injuries, life-limiting illnesses, mental health challenges, grief and trauma connect and communicate through music.

The glittering award ceremony - now in its 46th year - at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane saw international superstar and cultural icon Stormzy winning the flagship O2 Silver Clef Award, the legendary Mark King of Level 42 being honoured with the Icon Award and pop legend Neneh Cherry receiving the accolade for Outstanding Achievement. Trailblazer RAYE received Best Female, while rock renegades Nova Twins took home the Innovation Award. Jazz singer songwriter sensation Gregory Porter won Best Male and award-winning American singer songwriter Adam Lambert picked up the International Award. Wet Leg received the New Music Award and Biffy Clyro won Best Live Act, UK music legends N-Dubz were honoured with the Best Group Award and Ayanna Witter-Johnson won the Classical Award.

Guest award presenters included Queen lead guitarist Sir Brian May, Mobo awards founder Kanya King and chef and TV presenter Andi Oliver.

Presented by Edith Bowman for the fifth-year running, with Peter Andre returning to take his regular hosting spot on the blue carpet, the O2 Silver Clef Awards are held to recognise and celebrate the talent of the winning artists and the powerful impact of music on all members of our society. Since 1976, through the power of music, the awards have raised over £12 million for Nordoff and Robbins and honoured some of the greatest names in music.

In 2022, Nordoff and Robbins held nearly 50,000 music therapy sessions across the UK for some of the most isolated people in society, and the need for music therapy is greater than it has ever been.

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Exclusive Interview with ML Underwood

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Artist Spotlight: ML Underwood

In the opening frame of the music video for ML Underwood’s “Still I Rise,” the camera pans across the facade of the historic ruins of City Church in Gary, Indiana. Soon, a pristine white Rolls-Royce pulls up in front.

In a career defined by reinvention and resonance, ML Underwood takes us through the chapters that made them who they are today.

HipHopNow: What has remained most consistent about your creative identity over time?

ML Underwood:
The Quality of my music has been the most consistent

HipHopNow: How has your relationship with music changed as your career has developed?

ML Underwood:
The older I get I feel a sense of responsibility to put out music that will spark the minds of the youth who can change the world

HipHopNow: How do you usually know when an idea is worth developing into a full song or project?

ML Underwood:
My spirit lets me know what’s worth putting out into the universe

HipHopNow: What part of the writing or recording process challenges you differently now than it did earlier on?

ML Underwood:
Making sure that my voice matches the beat selected

HipHopNow: How do you approach growth creatively without losing what feels authentic to you?

ML Underwood:
I follow a process of true expression, I don’t follow no one else’s agenda but the agenda God put on my heart

HipHopNow: In what ways has your sound evolved most noticeably over the last few releases?

ML Underwood:
I have been able to connect more to my audience and more with the youth with the last release which is completely incredible in these times we live in

HipHopNow: What have been some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from releasing music so far?

ML Underwood:
The most valuable lesson I learned in releasing music is that it’s imperative to have a marketing budget and to choose wisely by using Spotify ads, YouTube, Radio, and TikTok because these are the platforms that matters the most now.

HipHopNow: How do you balance the creative side of being an artist with the realities of building a sustainable career?

ML Underwood:
By focusing on reaching hearts of the fans 

HipHopNow: What kind of growth feels most meaningful to you at this stage of your journey?

ML Underwood:
Worldwide recognition has been surreal to me right now “Still I Rise” is being recognized all over the world people are inboxing me from all over the world telling me how powerful my new single is and how it has reached there hearts.

HipHopNow: What do you want this next phase of your work to be defined by?

ML Underwood:
I’m the uncle of hip hop.  The young and old need music that they can be inspired by and the lane we created called “ motivation music” is exactly what hip hop needs now.
 
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