Rodney Jerkins Nominated For Ivor Novello Award

Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins has given fans a rare window into the quiet intensity behind his latest success: a nomination at the 2024 Ivor Novello Awards. Alongside British singer-songwriter Raye and producer Tony Tone, Jerkins is up for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for their collaborative track “GENESIS.” In an Instagram post he wrote, “This is what the process looks like — focus, honesty, collaboration. Behind every award nomination is a moment like this. No lights, no applause, just purpose in motion.”

Studio Moment Behind The Nomination

The Instagram share (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ7IqVOxJw9/) includes two behind-the-scenes images of Jerkins at work. In one, he’s seated at a mixing console, headphones on, appraising a vocal take. In another, the producer adjusts a fader with laser-like concentration. The black-and-white snapshot style underscores the stripped-back ethos he mentions—no flashbulbs, just a team locked in on sound and synergy.

Collaborative Chemistry Fuels Genesis

“GENESIS” marries Raye’s soaring vocal hooks and Tony Tone’s modern beat sensibilities with Jerkins’s seasoned melodic instincts. The track first debuted on Amazon Music earlier this year, quickly earning praise for its layered harmonies and introspective lyrics. When asked about working with Raye, Jerkins told Billboard that her songwriting “brings raw honesty to every line,” while Tony Tone’s crisp drum programming “sets the perfect canvas.” Together, they delivered a song that has resonated across playlists—from UK soul stations to US digital radio.

Darkchild’s Storied Career

A fixture in pop and R&B for over two decades, Rodney Jerkins rose to prominence in the late 1990s with production credits on Brandy’s “Angel in Disguise” and Destiny’s Child’s Grammy-winning “Say My Name.” According to his official biography, he has since amassed more than 70 songwriting and production credits, working with the likes of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez. He founded Darkchild Entertainment in 1999 and has earned multiple Grammy Awards along the way, cementing his reputation as both an innovator and a hitmaker.

He’s also diversifying his footprint as a mentor and label executive. In a recent Instagram update (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJmw_2ZyY6a/), Jerkins teased his new imprint, Alienz Alive, describing it as “a movement for artists who don’t fit the mold, who think different, sound different, and live with purpose.” That post underscores a wider creative mission beyond the console—it’s about nurturing emerging talent and pushing musical boundaries.

Honors Beyond The Ivors

2024 is shaping up to be one of Jerkins’s most decorated years. In addition to the Ivor Novello nod, he’s listed among this year’s Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees. In an earlier Instagram announcement, the Hall of Fame shared: “This year, we proudly celebrate… Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins,” highlighting his lasting impact on the songwriting community. The induction gala is set for June in New York City, adding another milestone to his résumé.

With “GENESIS” currently climbing streaming charts and award shortlists rolling in, Jerkins shows no signs of slowing. Whether he’s in a packed studio with collaborators or behind closed doors perfecting a beat, his focus remains the same: honest expression and creative teamwork.

As the Ivor Novello Awards ceremony approaches in May, the music world will be watching to see if Rodney Jerkins can add an Ivors trophy to his growing collection. For now, he’s content letting the music speak, one unassuming studio snapshot at a time.

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Poulami Nag

 

Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.

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