Stefflon Don wins Vanguard Award at 2018 ASCAP London Music Awards

24 October 2018

Stefflon Don was honoured with the Vanguard Award at the ASCAP London Music Awards on Tuesday (23.10.18).

Stefflon Don at the ASCAP London Music Awards

The 26-year-old rapper received the prestigious gong - which recognises the impact of outstanding ASCAP members that are helping to shape the future of music - during the awards evening held at One Marylebone by The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Speaking as she accepted her award, Stefflon said: "I just want to thank ASCAP so much for giving me this award, it means a lot and for them to think that I'm going to be part of the musical future is beautiful.

"I want to say thank you to everybody who has always believed in me I hope you are going to continue to shine and continue to do bigger and better things, I can't wait for next year for you guys to hear all the big releases I've got coming."

And the 'Calypso' hitmaker - who also opened the ceremony with a performance of her hit single 'Hurtin' Me' - hopes the trophy will open doors for her, after "big sensation" Dua Lipa was handed the honour last year.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz on the red carpet, she said: "It feels good to be appreciated. Dua Lipa won here last year and she's a big thing now, a big sensation so this does mean a lot."

Alongside Stefflon, Tom Walker - who performed his track 'Leave a Light On' - was also given a Vanguard Award.

Elsewhere in the evening, Steve Mac was the biggest winner as he took home seven awards, including Song of the Year and Top Digital Song for Ed Sheeran's smash hit 'Shape of You', which peaked at number one in the singles charts of 34 countries.

The musician and record producer also scored three awards in the Hot 100 Winning Songs category, for 'Strip That Down' by Liam Payne, 'What About Us' by Pink, and Clean Bandit track 'Rockabye'.

ASCAP Awards 2018 full winners list:

ASCAP Vanguard Award

Stefflon Don

ASCAP Vanguard Award

Tom Walker

ASCAP Song of the Year

Steve Mac - 'Shape of You' by Ed Sheeran

ASCAP Top Digital Song

Steve Mac - 'Shape of You' by Ed Sheeran

ASCAP Top EDM Song

Steven "Lenky" Marsden - 'Let Me Love You' by DJ Snake ft. Justin Bieber 

ASCAP Film Score of the Year