Richard Paul Ashcroft (born 11 September 1971) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He formed the alternative rock band the Verve in 1989 and served as the sole songwriter, lead singer and rhythm guitarist throughout the band's lifetime. In 1997, the Verve released the UK number-one album Urban Hymns, that in present day is the 18th-most sold album in the UK. In 1998, Ashcroft was awarded the Ivor Novello award for Songwriter of the Year. Following the Verve's disbandment in 1999, Ashcroft embarked on a successful solo career, releasing six UK top-three solo albums, including Alone with Everybody, Keys to the World and These People. Followed by a reformation in 2007 and another UK number one album Forth; disbanded once again in 2009. In May 2019, Ashcroft received a second Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors. He released the compilation of acoustic versions of his best hits, Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1, in 2021. On October 3, 2025 he will release his seventh studio album, Lovin' You. Venerated by his peers, Noel Gallagher of Oasis has described Ashcroft as a "genius", and Chris Martin of Coldplay has described Ashcroft as "the best singer in the world".