Tinie Tempah and Skye Newman Call for Greater Support for Working-Class Talent at Ivor Novello Awards

At the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards in London, rapper-songwriter Tinie Tempah and singer-songwriter Skye Newman warned that the UK music industry is becoming less accessible to working-class artists, citing the decline of small venues and the absence of programmes to discover talent beyond established networks.

The Guardian

The Ivor Novello Awards celebrate British and Irish songwriting, but many grassroots venues have closed due to rising rents and regulatory pressure. Such spaces serve as “training grounds” where artists gain the “10,000-hour” experience needed for professional growth. Tempah has partnered with the Save Our Scene campaign to protect these venues.

The Guardian

Tempah said that without regional scenes the industry “is not representative,” calling small venues essential incubators. Newman noted the high cost of launching a career, stating “it takes a team and it costs a lot,” and urged more programmes to find talent in struggling communities. Both called on the music industry to allocate resources for venue preservation and talent-scouting.

The Guardian

If the trend continues, the sector may lose working-class and minority representation, threatening genres like grime that arise from under-served areas. The loss of small-venue ecosystems could also weaken the United Kingdom’s cultural “soft power,” curbing its global music export influence. Diverse pathways to success are thus vital for cultural vitality and economic benefit.

The Guardian

• “If you don’t have different sort of scenes in different parts of the country, then of course your music industry is not representative,” — Tinie Tempah, rapper-songwriter

The Guardian

• “But that is not a fair thing, and there should be more things implemented to help people like us – more programmes to find talent in places where they’re struggling and need it.” — Skye Newman, singer-songwriter

The Guardian

• “We’re almost losing a bit of our soft power. If you think of like this tiny little island and how much music we’ve contributed to the whole world, it’s insane,” — Tinie Tempah

The Guardian

• “All of these small venues have created a way for seeds to blossom and develop and bloom. Just imagine as a talent, being able to go out on the road, do your 10,000 hours, make your mistakes, fumble your lyrics, get booed, get cheered. It’s almost like a training ground. And if I never had that as an artist, I probably wouldn’t be standing here today.” — Tinie Tempah

The Guardian

Tempah will deepen his work with Save Our Scene and other grassroots groups, while Newman seeks partnerships with talent-search initiatives in council-estate areas. Both aim to raise awareness of venue protection and inclusive talent development within the music community.

The Guardian