Plan B wins big at Ivors

Rapper picks up hat-trick of awards at event...

09:28 20 May 2011

Plan B has triumphed at this year's Ivor Novello awards, winning three prizes, including the award for best songwriter, presented by Sir Elton John.

The rapper-turned-singer, real name Ben Drew, also won the most performed song prize for his hit She Said and the Album Award.

Presenting Drew with the Songwriter of the Year award, Sir Elton said that his album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, was the best album of recent years "by a million miles".

Plan B said he had written the record "to get through to the underclass that society doesn't want to talk about".

"One day I got a letter from a kid who told me my record helped him get through his time in prison and he wanted to be a better person.

"It was at that moment that I realised what I set out to achieve."

Rapper Tinie Tempah was also among the winners at the event, which was held on 19 May.

He picked up the Best Contemporary Song award for his debut hit Pass Out, co-written with singer and producer Labrinth.

Tempah also lent his hand to presenting, handing fellow rapper Dizzee Rascal the Inspiration Award.

Other winners included band Muse, who won the International Achievement award, and Paul Rogers, who won the Outstanding Contribution to Music accolade.

The annual ceremony celebrates excellence in music writing and recognises talent from composers across all genres.