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British R&B trio FLO will receive the ASCAP Vanguard Award at the annual ASCAP London Celebrates Songwriters and Composers ceremony on June 16, 2026 — a timely nod as the group continues to gain traction on both sides of the Atlantic. The recognition highlights the trio’s rapid rise and signals growing industry support for their contemporary take on soul and R&B.
Industry recognition for a breakout act
The Vanguard honor is reserved for emerging artists judged to be shaping the future of music. Past recipients include established names such as Dua Lipa, Victoria Monét and St. Vincent, underscoring the award’s role as an early indicator of broader success.
ASCAP Vanguard Award to honor FLO at 2026 ASCAP London Celebration
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ASCAP chairman and president Paul Williams praised FLO’s contribution to the genre, saying the group is “redefining R&B with incredible chops and style.” He added that ASCAP was proud to recognize their creative achievements as the trio’s profile expands.
Where FLO stands now
Over the past three years FLO have compiled a string of high-profile wins and nominations that illustrate their momentum.
- March 26, 2026: Won the MOBO Award for Best R&B/Soul Act.
- 2026: Received a Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album for their debut, Access All Areas.
- 2023: Took home the Brit Awards Rising Star prize and placed on the BBC Sound of… list.
- Multiple nominations across U.S.-focused awards, including seven BET Award nods and three Soul Train Music Award nominations.
These milestones point to a widening audience and growing industry confidence — important factors as the group prepares for larger tours and more international exposure.
What happens at the June 16 event
FLO are expected to attend ASCAP’s London ceremony, where the organization will celebrate U.K. songwriters and composers whose work has made a mark in the U.S. The program will also recognize the U.K. creators behind the 2026 song of the year, the top Hot Dance/Electronic Song and the year’s top box-office film, among other achievements.
For ASCAP, the evening serves both as a recognition of commercial success and as a spotlight on creative talent building cross-border careers. For artists like FLO, the award adds an institutional endorsement that can open doors to new collaborators, sync opportunities and industry relationships.
Why this matters now
Receiving the Vanguard Award at this stage of their career does more than decorate FLO’s résumé: it places them in a lineage of artists whose early acclaim presaged wider mainstream success. With a Grammy nomination and recent major wins, the trio’s profile is rising at a moment when U.K. acts are increasingly visible in U.S. playlists, film and television.
The immediate practical impact may include increased radio play, higher-profile sync placements and amplified interest from producers and songwriters in both markets — developments that will determine whether FLO convert critical buzz into sustained global reach.
Quick facts
- Award: ASCAP Vanguard Award
- Event: ASCAP London Celebrates Songwriters and Composers
- Date: June 16, 2026
- Group: FLO — British soul/R&B trio
