Alongside racing driver Lewis Hamilton, actresses Nina Wadia and Lesley Manville, cinematographer Roger Deakins, and many others to receive the prestigious Order of the British Empire this year, Craig David was awarded an MBE (Member) and Colin Lester an OBE (Officer) for their outstanding contribution to the world of music. Lester himself was amongst the first people to congratulate David, proudly stating: “This is a remarkable achievement and so deserved – I am honoured not only to work with Craig but to also call him an amazing friend and confidante“.

I am so proud and thrilled that @craigdavid has been Honoured with an MBE in recognition of his incredible contribution to music. This is a remarkable achievement and so deserved – I am honoured not only to work with Craig but to also call him an amazing friend and confidante. pic.twitter.com/QaTFihKkJD

— Colin Lester (@ColinLester) December 30, 2020

Discovered and signed by Colin Lester to his label Wildstar, Craig David recently celebrated 20 years since the release of his critically acclaimed debut album Born To Do It on 14 August 2000. The album currently holds a 6-time platinum status in the UK and ended at #35 at the decade-end Official Album Chart in the UK (2000-2009). It set the beginning of a productive partnership and long-lasting friendship between the two, and kickstarted the singer’s sucessful career who went on to release 20 UK Top 40 singles and seven chart breaking albums.

Colin Lester has spent his entire career as artist manager of some of the most prolific music acts to emerge in the UK scene in the last few decades. Originally involved with Wildlife Entertainment, followed by Wildstar Records and most recently founding JEM Music in 2015, Lester is associated with the likes of the Brand New Heavies, Travis, Arctic Monkeys, Craig David, and many more. Additionally, he is on the board of trustees of the MOBO Charity and is connected to The ’45 Aid Society.

Alongside all of his artists’ achievements and sucessful record sales, Colin Lester has been awarded with many other prestigous awards, including “‘The Peter Grant Award’ for outstanding achievement from the UK’s Music Managers Forum (MMF) in 2002, the Gold Badge Award’ by BASCA (The British Academy of Songwriters , Composers and Authors’) for his work with UK songwriters in 2007 and the ‘Artist Loyalty Award’ for his longstanding relationship with Craig David at the 2016 A&R awards.” Craig David immediately returned the favour and congratulated his “manager, friend and business partner” for receiving the honourary OBE. 

Congratulations to my Manager, friend and business partner for being awarded an OBE for services to the music industry and charity, in the Queens New Year Honours list. I’m so happy for you @ColinLester ! xxx pic.twitter.com/tJYHRfqsti — Craig David (@CraigDavid) December 30, 2020

Late last evening, MusicWeek shared the full list of musicians and industry professionals to also receive the honour alongside David and Lester. Apache Indian and Yasin El Ashrafi received an MBE for outstanding services to young people, music and mentoring. Other recepients include conductors Jane Glover, Daniel Harding and Wayne Marshall, director Graham Vick, composer Julian Anderson, pianist Barry Douglas, cellist Natalie Clein, as well as Wasfi Kani from Grange Park Opera, Nigel Newton from Bloomsbury Publishing and also John Kirkpatrick for services to folk music.

Last year, Queen’s legendary drummer Roger Taylor was awarded the OBE in the New Year Honours of 2019.

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Lovely stuff. New album #E3AF out October 30th pre order link in bio.

A post shared by Dizzee Rascal (@dizzeerascal) on Oct 10, 2020 at 11:25am PDT

Dizzee took to his Instagram to comment on the award, saying ‘Lovely stuff’, and to remind followers that his highly anticipated new album E3AF is due for release on October 30th. Dizzee Rascal is no stranger to awards. His sensational debut album, Boy in da Corner, made him the youngest person ever to receive a Mercury Prize at 19 years old.

His contribution to the UK grime scene is unquestionable. Though his main achievement is surely bringing grime to the mainstream with Boy in da Corner, he also started Dirtee Stank Records in 2003 with a view to promoting promising artists with ‘social problems’ that might make major labels reluctant to take them on. Dirtee Stank has released several successful artists like Klass A and Newham Generals.

When Dizzee self produced his first single, aged 16, it was clear that he was operating in a different league from his musical contemporaries. I Luv U, with its glitchy beat, rapid cymbals and furious flow, put Dizzee on the map. The tonality of his voice here sounds like an instrument in itself, and his lyrics – although pretty derogatory by todays standards – feel entirely authentic.

This talent was first spotted by a music teacher at Langdon Park school, who was thanked in in the credits on Boy in da Corner‘s album sleeve. Dizzee wrote: ‘Special thanx to Mr. Smith, da best music teacher Langdon Park ever let go (you fools). I’ll never forget da way you kept the faith in me, even when things looked grim.’

Since then, Dizzee Rascal has released six albums, each one more innovative than the last. His most recent, Raskit, saw him ‘reclaim his crown’. It definitely signified a departure from the cocky lyricism of his earlier work, with tracks like Wot U Gonna Do? sounding like the concerns of an artist worried about fading into obscurity: ‘What you gonna do when they won’t play your records// And you don’t get booked ’cause your buzz is all gone’.

But Dizzee doesn’t have to worry about that. October 2nd release Body Loose, that sampled its beat from 2000’s garage classic Body Groove, was a catchy and inventive party-track and the rest of E3AF will be sure to deliver too. His MBE award is a well deserved reminder that the East London rapper is still very much relevant.