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Billie the kid:

The industry surrounding songwriting continues to evolve, but the art of moulding a great record remains the same. Here, Music Week asks a selection of the biz’s stars to name the greatest living hitmaker… ------B Y BEN HOMEWOOD, GEORGE GARNER, MARK SUTHERLAND, JAMES HANLEY & ANDRE PAINE ------Billie Eilish “The only person I’ve been completely blown away with recently is Billie Eilish. She’s phenomenal and I really like the idea of that [songwriting] relationship “Diane Warren – her writing credits say it all. , , , Rihanna, Bon between her and her brother [Finneas O’Connell]. It’s Jovi, , , Kiss, , , , Eric got elements of Feist, but wrapped up in a completely Clapton, , LeAnn Rimes, , Tom Jones, are just a subversive way, which is blowing me away.” selection of artists she has written for. It’s probably easier to put a list together of people she Crispin Hunt, and chair, hasn’t written with. She’s been writing hits for decades and she’s still writing hits.” Ivors Academy Andy Copping, executive president of UK touring, Live Nation John Mayer “I think he’s incredibly underestimated. His songs touch something, lyrically, he addresses subjects that are “It’s a tough one to decide on the best living 24K gold: incredibly personal and well executed, and incredibly songwriter. I would probably go with Bruce Bruno Mars melodic. He is underrated and I’m surprised he doesn’t get Springsteen but I thought about it and, while more airplay. There are a lot of layers – you can take away he is like no other and his influence will be felt from it what you want to. Stop This Train is a great song, for many years to come, I wonder whether Gravity’s another.” his best writing is ahead or behind him. Also, Annette Barrett, MD, Reservoir/Reverb when you look at that generation you have so many living legend options. To make it a bit easier and more forward-looking I will take “Stevie Wonder is my favourite living songwriter because my pick from the new generation of great he’s so prolific and so consistent. From a young age he was writers who have already made their mark and writing and didn’t realise how amazing he was. He’s just are likely to blossom even further in the years incredible – every single song, the emotion, the way he can to come. So, I’ll go with Bruno Mars. He’s play. He can’t even see and he’s playing better than everyone brilliant and unbelievably gifted and, while else in the whole world. I think it’s that that made me want he has already written many songs that will to learn how to play as well. Ribbon In The Sky, it’s just the likely be covered by many artists in the future, beauty of it – the love in it that you feel. That’s why everyone I somehow think his greatest song is yet to has it at their wedding – you can just feel the beauty and come. He makes me believe in . I truth in what he’s saying. And he’s always writing these songs am sure his What’s Going On moment will about specific people – which is why they feel so real.” come and then he’ll truly cement his spot next Camille ‘Kamille’ Purcell, songwriter/artist to Stevie Wonder, , Robert Smith, Springsteen and all the all-time greats.” Albert Schilcher, VP, talent and music, Kendrick Lamar MTV International “My favourite songwriter is Kendrick Lamar. He paints a Bob Mould picture with words.” “I have been a massive fan of Bob Mould for years in all of his incarnations from Hüsker Dü, Lil Nas X, artist to Sugar to his solo material. His aesthetic, storytelling and even his sexuality have set him aside as a pioneer coming through the ’80s USA hardcore scene, whilst now reaching almost power pop with an album released recently. He has always been at the coal face of guitar music and continues to be so. As a bit of a curve ball, I would like to honourably mention Mike Duce – possibly viewed as a mere whippersnapper, alongside more heritage luminaries mentioned in this piece, but I believe he holds a valid place, being able to traverse a number of genres, whilst writing uplifting, witty, intelligent, for Lower Than Atlantis. Like a millennial Morrissey, with a more positive outlook.” Julie Weir, label head, Music for Nations

Damn good: Kendrick Lamar

24 | Music Week 20.05.19 musicweek.com