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Cat Stevens Earns Second Reward

The artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, had been handed his second prize during performing rights group ASCAP`s annual U.K. awards ceremony Wednesday. Amid controversial political remarks he releases now and then, Yusuf Islam`s music is widely appreciated and has now won a second consecutive award for songwriter of the year in Britain and was recognized for his enduring classic "First Cut Is The Deepest."

Formerly known as Cat Stevens, he was one of the most successful and enigmatic artists who rose to fame in the 1970s, with a string of best selling albums, which defined the concept of the sensitive songwriter. His reflective and often highly personal songs connected with a huge audience and made him an international superstar.

His most notable songs include "Morning Has Broken," "Peace Train," "Wild World," "Moonshadow," "Father and Son," "Matthew and Son," "Oh Very Young," and "First Cut Is The Deepest." "First cut" first appeared on his 1967 album, "New Masters," and has been covered by numerous artists, including P.P. Arnold, Rod Stewart and more recently, Sheryl Crow. Yusuf Islam is soon to release a new album, his first in almost 30 years. The release will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the first Cat Stevens record, "I Love My Dog" (Deram November 1966).