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The Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) are delighted to reveal that Neneh Cherry will receive the coveted Pioneer Award, sponsored by Facebook, at the 2019 Artist & Manager Awards (A&MAs).

We are also today announcing that Selina, one of the world’s fastest growing and disruptive travel, lifestyle & hospitality brands is confirmed as the A&MAs headline sponsor – with the ceremony taking place on Thursday November 14th at the Bloomsbury Big Top. BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens is confirmed as our host and presenter.

For more than three decades, Neneh has blazed an uncompromising and unique trail – initially by blending her post punk roots with UK street culture on the era-defining albums Raw Like Sushi, Homebrew and Man, alongside a run of imperial hit singles, including “Buffalo Stance”, “Manchild”, “Buddy X” and “7 Seconds” with Youssou N’Dour.

Always a respected connecter and collaborator, Neneh was pivotal in the development of Bristol’s music scene of the 1980s, initially as singer with Rip Rig + Panic and then with Massive Attack on whose Blue Lines album she played a key creative role as instigator and arranger. (Much of the album was recorded in her baby’s bedroom.) Neneh’s association with Massive Attack members continues to this day (mostly recently on last year’s single “Kong” with 3D from the band), alongside collaborative work with artists including Michael Stipe, Robyn, Lenny Kravitz, Tricky, Chrissie Hynde, Kieran Hebden / Four Tet and, of course, extensively with her husband Cameron McVey.

And she continues to break new ground. Following a critically acclaimed jazz project – 2012’s Neneh Cherry & The Thing – Neneh’s two most recent solo albums, Blank Project (2014) and Broken Politics (2018) have only cemented her reputation as a groundbreaker and innovator.

The MMF & FAC are pleased to recognise Neneh’s extraordinary talent with the 2019 Pioneer Award, sponsored by Facebook.

Lucy Pullin, FAC board member, said:

“As a young girl, the jaw-dropping sight of an eight months proud and pregnant Neneh Cherry ripping up TOTP with her hit Buffalo Stance was unforgettable, and is still a talking point today. She was the only artist I’d ever seen performing pregnant and her attitude and confidence was and remains beyond inspirational in this industry. Thank you Neneh – that is true female empowerment, and way ahead of the nineties.

“Fast forward on, past multiple hits and albums later, to watching Neneh’s career-spanning set at Glastonbury this year. She has had an incredible career and her unique sound and energised performances have an ongoing influence made even more powerful by the fact that, having already reshaped musical culture and norms in music, she is still pushing creative and cultural boundaries decades later. In partnership with Facebook and the illustrious board of the FAC we are delighted to honour Neneh Cherry with our Pioneer Award.”

Previous recipients of the Pioneer Award include Kano, Giggs, Michael ‘Buck’ Maris & Trenton Harrison-Lewis, Imogen Heap, Ruth Daniel and Amanda Palmer.

Fittingly, our 2019 headline sponsors, Selina, is also recognised as a global innovator. Founded in Latin America in 2015 and now operating in 52 locations throughout the world including the UK, Selina blend beautifully-designed accommodation with co-working facilities, recreation, wellness and local experiences – working with local artists, creators and tastemakers.

The launch of the first Selina Music Studio in Colombia in January this year allows international and local music producers, bands, and musicians to collaborate and co-create. Selina has recently increased its music-based activity in the UK; September saw the launch of its first electro-club in Manchester, Cotton, with a second music-dedicated venue opening at the end of the year in Liverpool. Selina is also set to open an exciting London property in early 2020, with music taking centre stage. Additionally, the brand holds the annual Selina International Music Summit, which brings together local and international icons, featuring an electrifying programme of live music showcases and club shows that represent both emerging and established talent from around the world.

As part of its headline sponsorship, Selina will offer winner of the A&MAs Artist of the Year an all-expenses paid one-week trip to Medellin to use the facilities.

Annabella Coldrick, CEO, MMF said:

“With a return to the Bloomsbury Big Top, 2019s A&MAs is already looking like our biggest and best yet. The ceremony pays tribute to the world’s most innovative and pioneering artists and managers, and it therefore feels entirely fitting to have Selina onboard as our headline sponsor as they bring their unique lifestyle residential model to the UK and Europe. What they are offering looks hugely exciting for our community. We are equally delighted to have Radio 1’s recognised champion of new music, Huw Stephens, onboard as our host and presenter.”

Ariel Levinsohn, VP Brand & Creative at SELINA, said:

“The synergy between Selina and the A&MAs has presented an effortless partnership, and we’re thrilled to be the 2019 sponsors of such a prestigious ceremony that champions pioneering talent. Music is a key element within the Selina ecosystem; we have more than 200 shows a month at Selina locations and hope to scale to 500 by the end of the year, along with recording studios and festival partnerships. We can’t wait to work more closely with MMF and FAC moving forward to highlight and support innovation within the music industry.”

As previously announced, Nile Rodgers will receive the Artists’ Artist Award at 2019’s ceremony, while Rebecca Boulton and Andy Robinson (Prime Management) will pick up the coveted Managers’ Manager Award.

A full list of winners and nominees will be revealed in coming weeks.

Businesses or individuals interested in additional sponsorship opportunities should contact Romano Sidoli.

Table bookings for the awards are available now. For more details email nicky@themmf.net or visit https://amawards.org