The Music Producers Guild has announced the complete list of winners for the 2021 MPG awards – an annual event that recognises the creativity, skill and talents of all music recording professionals.
Inflo won the top accolade of UK Producer Of The Year for his work with British collective, Sault and Michael Kiwanuka.
This year saw the introduction of two new categories into the MPG Awards. The new UK Original Score Recording Of The Year award was won by Northern Irish composer, Hannah Peel, for her work on The Deceived (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
The other new addition, the UK Writer-Producer Of The Year, saw another award for Inflo for co-writing and producing the Michael Kiwanuka album Kiwanuka, which also won UK Album Of The Year.
Dani Bennet Spragg, the winner of the 2019 Breakthrough Engineer of the Year award, won UK Recording Engineer Of Year for her work with Blanco White, Malena Zavala, and Palace.
Grammy Award-winning mixer, Dan Grech-Marguerat won this year’s Mix Engineer of The Year for his work on Bastille, Lianne La Havas, Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey.
The Breakthrough Producer of the Year award was won by producer, songwriter, singer, rapper and drummer, Georgia.
Breakthrough Engineer of the Year was won by Shuta Shinoda for work on Ghost Poet, Jehnny Beth, and Anna Meredith.
The PPL Presents Outstanding Contribution To UK Music was awarded to Susan Rogers for her pioneering career, most famously her work with Prince.
The MPG Inspiration Award was awarded to Janine Irons and Gary Crosby in recognition for their work establishing jazz music education and artist development organisation, Tomorrow’s Warriors.
“We are so honoured and humbled to receive the Inspiration Award from the MPG Awards this year in this, our extra-special 30th anniversary year,” said Irons and Crosby.
“Over the past three decades, we have been dedicated to developing and supporting diverse talent and championing musical excellence on their artistic journey into the music industry, so it means a lot to receive this incredible recognition from an organisation we so hugely respect and admire. Thank you, MPG!”
Liverpool’s Parr Street Studios were able to mark the end of an era in their current building, as they prepare to move to new premises, by winning this year’s Studio of The Year award.
A total of 24 judges from across the industry took part in a remote judging session, chaired by award-winning musician and producer Charlie Deakin Davies, who recently co-produced Gary Barlow’s album Music Played By Humans.
“Our judging days in the past have been studio-based, and judges were usually limited to those who could travel to a studio on the day,” said executive director, Matt Taylor.
“This format is much more accessible and has helped us in our mission to make the whole awards process as accessible and diverse as possible. We have made a conscious effort to ensure our judges are reflective of our community. We are proud to have had a diverse group of judges from different parts of the UK deciding who should receive this year’s MPG awards.”
Full winners list
The 13th MPG Awards featured a total of 13 award categories, each designed to recognise and celebrate the best and brightest talent in music production, along with the industry’s rising stars. The event took place online this year due to Covid Restrictions.
UK Producer Of The Year, sponsored by Flare Audio
Inflo
Recording Engineer Of The Year, sponsored by AMS Neve
Dani Bennett Spragg
Mix Engineer Of The Year, sponsored by Miloco Studios
Dan Grech-Marguerat
Re-mixer Of The Year, sponsored by Headliner
Matthew Herbert
Breakthrough Producer Of the Year, sponsored by Focusrite
Georgia
Self-Producing Artist Of The Year, sponsored by Avid
Four Tet (Kieran Hebden)
Breakthrough Engineer Of The Year, sponsored by Genelec
Shuta Shinoda
Mastering Engineer Of The Year, sponsored by Steinberg
Stuart Hawkes
UK Album Of The Year, sponsored by Daft Studios
Michael Kiwanuka, Kiwanuka
UK Single Song Release Of The Year, sponsored by Shure
Mura Masa, Deal With It with Slowthai
Studio Of The Year, sponsored by UK Music
Parr Street Studios
The MPG 2021 Awards categories in the gift of the MPG are:
The MPG Inspiration Award, sponsored by Audio Note
Janine Irons and Gary Crosby
PPL Present The MPG Award For Outstanding Contribution To UK Music, sponsored by PPL
Susan Rogers