In 2017, the British public purchased the equivalent of 135 million albums, prompting the fastest growth in UK music consumption since the late 1990s.
Behind some of the hits that made this possible? A new wave of British lyricists flying the flag for the nation in recording studios around the world, penning hits for the likes of Chris Brown, the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack, Little Mix, Black Panther, Zayn Malik, Beyonce and James Arthur.
After grinding in Londons independent music scene as a teen, my lyrics caught the attention of the latter in the months leading up to my graduation, and today, five years after we collaborated on tracks for his debut album, Im honoured to be among the new generation of lyricists representing Britain on the global stage.
Making just as many moves? My peers. Meet a few of them below…
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DYO
Dyo, born Dayo Olatunji, soared into the music industry aged sixteen when she collaborated with the rapper Chipmunk on his #1 single Oopsy Daisy.
Three years later, the Nigerian vocalist bagged her second number one with Wileys Heatwave on which she appeared as Ms D and watched the single hold the top spot for two weeks, making her one of the youngest songwriters to top the tally in chart history.
Keen to ensure that her success as a writer didnt stand in the way of her journey as a performer, Dyo stepped away from the music industry shortly after co-writing tracks for the rapper Iggy Azalea and made her way to Sweden to recharge her creative batteries.
There, she met the producer Neiked and collaborated with him on a song that would become her fifth top ten hit. Its name? Sexual.
She signed a lucrative publishing deal with Warner Music shortly after and has gone on to write songs for Maroon 5 and the Pop girl group Fifth Harmony.
The biggest piece of advice I could give to any new writers is to practice, practice, practice, she told Metro.co.uk. Be open-minded when listening to music, write as much as you can, and do your musical homework. The best way to find inspiration is to listen to old music.
MAEGAN COTTONE
Olly Murs Up, Little Mixs Salute and Britney Spears Pretty Girls are just three of the 25 smash hits Maegan Cottone has released since 2012. Revered by her peers globally, Cottones journey began in the United States where was she was born and raised on the sounds of Stevie Wonder, Tamla Motown and Queen.
By eight, she was an astute pianist and vocalist and by nine she had relocated to the United Kingdom with her mother and sister. Years later, she caught the attention of the Hiten Bharadia (the founder of the publishing company Phrased Differently) and signed a publishing deal which turned her into a hit-making force to be reckoned with.
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I dont believe anyone gets lucky, I believe that those lucky breaks can only come when as a result of hard work, she told us. For me, that meant pushing myself and putting my work out there by writing with as many different people as possible because you never know what may become of a song. Thats how I met my publisher Hiten Bharadia. I was working with Duvall from the Disciples who are also signed to his company. He loved my work and signed me on the spot.
Her advice for the next generation of scribes?
When I was trying to get into the music business, I said yes to everything just to meet people and have the opportunity to collaborate as much as possible, she said. Keep writing with the people that you have a positive connection with; those that make you feel GOOD and that you write your best stuff with! Amazing songs will speak for themselves and open doors to labels/ managers/ artists/ producers.
There is a lot of hype in this business, but only consistently great music will keep you in the game.
DAECOLM
Hailing from Zimbabwe is Daecolm, the singer/songwriter who has become the go-to guy for U.S. artists seeking hits with edge.
However, his success as a writer was as far he is concerned, accidental.
I started producing first and then eventually became frustrated with myself because I wasnt able to write to the beats I was creating, he explained. I worked tirelessly for years and my music eventually reached the ears of some of the biggest artists in the world. I never thought Id be a signed writer and working with people like Chris Brown, Usher, Omarion, Rihanna and all them major artists! Its so mad but Im blessed to have been given the opportunity to do so.
He believes that bravery is the key to his success.
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He said: I would advise any songwriter getting into the game to never doubt yourself and your most creative ideas. Some of my most ambitious ideas have been rejected only to be picked up by somebody else so its important to trust yourself and the direction of your art.
Not everyone is going to see how much sauce youve got but thats cool.
JAKK CITY
Jakk City glides to glory as Brit-Pop chart staple following a brief-but-impactful run as a member of Warner Music Groups boyband The Incs. In 2014, following the groups disbanding, City made a foray into the lucrative world of songwriting and spent the year writing material for a number of well-known names and faces. In 2017, that journey saw him collaborate with none other than Snoop Dogg to create the song Blow.
Since then, his skills have seen him bag collaborators in Vanessa White of The Saturdays, the Bollywood star Navin Kundra, and Tyler Shaw to name just three.
Today, he stands as the CEO of the management company Red Rokket Music and is on the hunt for the next generation of Pop superstars.
Study the business, he advises. Ive had success as a writer, but Im just as interested in learning about all aspects of the business because that knowledge is transferable.
SCRIBZ RILEY
What Chris Brown, Marvels Black Panther, Normani and TOVE LO have in common? Their admiration for Scribz Riley.
This creatives journey started in the church where he played the piano to support his older brother Talay Riley, and in St Bons Secondary School & YAP Youth Club where he cut his teeth free styling over grime beats.
Shortly after finishing school he discovered his admiration for music production and launched what has now become a stellar career.
In 2017, he was handpicked by Marvel to produce original material for its smash hit movie Black Panther, and this year has been enlisted to create original songs for Normani Kordeis solo album following her departure from Fifth Harmony.
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Growing up in the UK, around so many different cultures, particularly in London, allowed me to be able to listen to a wide range of music, which I feel has really helped with my career, Scribz Riley confessed. Having such a diverse taste of music allows me to work with artists across all genres.
He added: If I had to give any advise to any up and coming songwriters or producers Id say: Dont limit yourself, listen to wide ranges of music, hard work always beats talent. Work hard, be humble and most importantly be original, no-one can do you better than you.
TOBI
Armed with a 2:1 grade classification in Business Management & Entrepreneurship, TOBI made his foray into music to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Maestro, one of Rihannas creative collaborators.
Keen to carve out a lane for himself, the creative worked his way into the music industry by way of beats he made for a wide array of acts and soon found a home in Hank Hughes and Jacqueline Pelham-Leighs F/H Block, which also housed Naughty Boy, Zayn Malik & Emeli Sande to name a few.
Since the union, TOBI (or TSB) has found friends and collaborators in J-Hus, Stormzy and stands as one of the more celebrated figures in the UKs grime and afro bashment scenes as his work crosses the UKs borders to make a splash overseas.
His wise words? Love and enjoy the process. Music should always be a vibe, Im fortunate to create music with my immediate family and people Ive met who I get along with so I enjoy the time spent creating.
Also strive to be innovative. Be yourself which everyone says but not everyone does, he continued. Learn how to genuinely critique yourself because you may not always have the immediate opportunities to play your music to people.
My goal is to make timeless undeniable music & I feel like having that type of focus will allow it to become a reality. Have goals & targets.
MORE: Fives Abz warns Zayn Malik of the affects of smoking weed while suffering from anxiety
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