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International Songwriting Competition (ISC) Announces 2018 Winners
The International Songwriting Competition (ISC), widely recognized as the most prestigious and respected songwriting competition in the world, is pleased to announce its 2018 winners. Created in 2002, ISC received almost 19,000 entries this year from almost 140 countries. Prizes include more than $175,000 in cash and merchandise.
For the first time in the competition’s 18-year history, the Grand Prize is awarded to an R&B song – as well as to artist/songwriters from Nashville, TN. It is with great pleasure that ISC bestows its highest honor to R&B artist Reginald Lamar Williams Jr., (aka R.LUM.R) and artist/producer Josh Hawkins (aka Super Duper) for their co-written song “Frustrated.” The Grand Prize includes $25,000 (USD) cash and over $30,000 in merchandise and services.
With R&B being such a dominant force in today’s music landscape, it is exciting that an R&B song is the Grand Prize winner for the first time in ISC. We are thrilled to acknowledge R.LUM.R and Super Duper, two artists who exemplify the present and the future of songwriting in this genre. – Candace Avery, ISC Founder and Director
Having amassed more than 48 million streams on Spotify, the Grand Prize-winning song, “Frustrated” was written at a time when R.LUM.R had some big decisions to make. He was contemplating moving from Florida to Nashville to pursue his music, and the uncertainty he felt during his relocation became the inspiration for his breakout single “Frustrated.” He did end up moving to Nashville, and it has paid off for this incredibly talented singer and writer. Easily recognizable for his sultry, soulful vocals and effortless falsetto, R.LUM.R has performed the single on and has been praised by media such as ,, , and (who called him “an artist you need to know”).
The co-writer and producer of the winning song is Super Duper, an up-and-coming electronic artist/producer. Touring with the likes of The Chainsmokers, The Glitch Mob and Big Wild, Super Duper spent the past year bringing his cinematic productions on tour with Petit Biscuit and Kasbo with festivals lined up such as Electric Forest. After writing and producing for others, Super Duper began to release music under his own moniker. One of the first singles “Angela” hit #1 on Hype Machine and entered Spotify’s Viral 50 charts before being picked up by SiriusXM Chill. He also recently received a Clio award for scoring the trailer to Steve McQueen’s new motion picture .
“Winning the Grand Prize in ISC is a huge honor for me, especially when you consider how many incredible writers entered,” says R.LUM.R. “I wrote “Frustrated” at a time when I was privately going through some very personal things that I honestly wasn’t sure anyone would understand, so it’s amazing to think the song would be honored in such a big way.“
In addition to the Grand Prize winner, many other deserving songwriters also share in the prestige and kudos of winning their respective categories in ISC. These winners hail from all over the world (50% of this year’s winners come from outside the USA) and represent diverse cultures while ranging from talented amateurs to seasoned songwriting veterans. The 23 categories include all genres of contemporary music, from Rock to Pop to Jazz to Country to Hip-Hop, and more.
Winning ISC is a distinction that has propelled many artists to achieve greater success. Previous winners have included: Illenium; Vance Joy; Bastille; Gotye; Lindsey Stirling; Kimbra; The Band Perry; Kehlani; Gregory Porter; Passenger; Lupe Fiasco; Gin Wigmore; Missy Higgins; For King and Country; and many more.
For a complete list of 2018 winners and to hear the winning songs, go to: http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.
ISC is sponsored by: Art & Lutherie By Godin Guitars; Berklee College of Music; Celebrity Access; Eventric; Gig Salad; Lurssen Mastering; Merch Cat; Musician Wellness; Musicians Institute; oneRPM; PreSonus; Pro Tour Nutrition; Shubb Capos; SongU; Sweetwater; The Tracking Room; Tunedly; Vocal Eze; and Westone.
Entries are now open for the 2019 competition. For more information and to enter, go to https://www.songwritingcompetition.com.
About The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual song contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting. Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians are invited to participate. ISC has the most prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting and music contests in the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have your songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music industry.
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