Stormzy & Rina Sawayama Win Big At AIM Awards 2022 21 Sep 2022
Legendary British musician Stormzy honoured as Diversity Champion
Rina Sawayama to receive Innovator Award in association with Amazon Music
Final nominees revealed ahead of ceremony on 28 September
Ceremony tickets selling fast
Live Show & After Party tickets on sale here with rising star Pixey completing the line up
Stormzy and Rina Sawayama will be recognised for their outstanding achievements and ground-breaking work at this year’s Association of Independent Music (AIM) Awards. The final list of nominees are also unveiled ahead of the star-studded ceremony on 28 September at London’s Roundhouse, with rising star Pixey completing the line up of the live show.
Iconic British musician and philanthropist Stormzy will be honoured as Diversity Champion for using his platform to level the playing field in the music industry and inspiring wider society through his charity #Merky Foundation and #Merky Books. Since its launch in 2018, the Stormzy Scholarship has provided financial support for 19 UK Black students to attend Cambridge University, helping to transform their University experience and positively change their lives. In 2017, the University admitted 58 Black British students to undergraduate degree courses. In 2020, this rose to 137, with the increase being coined ‘The Stormzy Effect’. #Merky Foundation, founded by the musician, is committed to fighting racial inequalities, justice reform, discrimination and more within the Black community.
Stormzy’s launch of #Merky Books provides a home for underrepresented voices and a platform where their stories can be told, heard, and uplifted. His history with the Awards runs deep, as the South London icon won the Innovator Award in 2016 when he was self-releasing and the Independent Album of the Year for ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’ and PPL Most Played New Independent Act in 2017. Through all of the above and more, Stormzy has used his platform as an artist to make a real and positive change to the lives of those in underrepresented communities and organisations, which is why AIM has honoured him with this year’s ‘Diversity Champion’ Award.
Fresh from releasing a critically-acclaimed sophomore album, Dirty Hit’s pop icon Rina Sawayama is set to be honoured with this year’s ‘Innovator Award in association with Amazon Music’. An accolade that recognises the bold visionaries who drive independent music, Rina’s dexterity and creativity in the recording studio cements her as more than a worthy candidate for the prize. Since the release of her genre-defying debut ‘SAWAYAMA’, which spanned the lengths of nu-metal, ‘00s R&B, country and all out pop, her seismic musical shifts translate to the energy of her emphatic live shows.
Renowned for state-of-the-art visuals, Rina’s work with video director Ali Kaur has consistently raised the bar for high production music videos. Most recently, she turned heads with the title track on her new ‘Hold The Girl’ album, portraying the trappings of a time loop within the bounds of a 19th century farmhouse. Asides from music, Rina is also becoming a figurehead in the fashion world, modelling for the likes of Versace and Balmain with her striking aesthetic taking her to the catwalk at this year’s Paris Fashion Week.
As the final list of nominees are revealed for the 2022 AIM Awards, five hopefuls are up for the title of ‘Best Independent Video in association with VEVO’. The impressive array of nominees include Arlo Parks’ ‘Softly’, Ibeyi’s 'Made of Gold ft. Pa Salieu', '3210' by Jeshi, Wesley Joseph’s 'Cold Summer' and FKA Twigs’ 'tears in the club ft. The Weeknd’.
Following a heated battle between fans in the public vote, in which over 29,000 had their say, the ‘Best Live Performer’ shortlist has been whittled down to its final few names, with Ben Böhmer, IDLES, Mitski, Shao Dow and The Hu in the running for the coveted trophy.
With excitement reaching fever pitch for the biggest night in the independent music community’s calendar, the Awards will be hosted by BBC Radio 1Xtra’s DJ Target and TV host and presenter Joelah Noble. The show will also include dazzling performances from indie rock darlings The Libertines and grime-icon Lethal Bizzle, who’s taking home the trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Music in association with Merlin. Liverpool rising star Pixey is the third and final performer to be announced for what is set to be an unforgettable evening for the independent music community.
Ceremony tickets (individual and tables) are now available: https://bit.ly/3TS2pwK
Public Live Show & After Party tickets are currently on sale: https://bit.ly/3PtHLQn
See below for newly announced winners & nominees
Diversity Champion
Winner: Stormzy
Innovator in association with Amazon Music
Winner: Rina Sawayama (Dirty Hit)
Best Live Performer
Ben Böhmer (Anjunadeep)
IDLES (Partisan Records)
Mitski (Dead Oceans)
Shao Dow (DiY Gang Entertainment)
The Hu (Better Noise)
Best Independent Video in association with VEVO
Arlo Parks - 'Softly'
Ibeyi - 'Made of Gold ft. Pa Salieu'
Jeshi - '3210'
Wesley Joseph - 'Cold Summer'
FKA Twigs - 'tears in the club' ft. the weeknd
Previously announced nominees
UK Independent Breakthrough in association with YouTube Music
Children of Zeus (First Word Records)
Warmduscher (Bella Union)
Knucks (No Days Off)
Nova Twins (Marshall Records)
Wet Leg (Domino Recording Company)
International Breakthrough in association with Deezer
Amyl & the Sniffers (Rough Trade)
Blxst (Red Bull Records)
Kokoroko (Brownswood Recordings)
Mdou Moctar (Matador Records)
Mitski (Dead Oceans)
Best Independent Track in association with Meta
Anz - 'You Could Be' (ft. George Riley) (Ninja Tune)
Dave - 'Starlight' (Neighbourhood Recordings)
FKA twigs - 'tears in the club' ft. the weeknd (Young Recordings)
Jeshi - 'Protein' feat. Obongjayar (Because Music)
Knucks, SL - 'Nice & Good' (No Days Off)
Nova Twins - 'Antagonist' (Marshall Records)
Overmono - 'So U Kno' (XL Recordings)
Wet Leg - 'Chaise Longue' (Domino Recording Company)
Wu-Lu - 'Broken Homes' (Warp Records)
Yves Tumor - 'Jackie' (Warp Records)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape
FKA twigs - ‘CAPRISONGS’ (Young Recordings)
Joy Orbison - 'still slipping vol.1' (XL Recordings)
Surya Sen - 'At What Cost?' (Skint Records)
TAAHLIAH - 'Angelica' (untitled (recs))
Wesley Joseph - 'ULTRAMARINE' (EEVILTWINN)
Best Independent Album in association with Spotify
Boj - 'Gbagada Express' (Moves Recordings)
Children Of Zeus - 'Balance' (First Word Records)
Cleo Sol - 'Mother' (Forever Living Originals)
Dave - 'We're All Alone In This Together'
Dave Okumu - 'Knopperz' (Neighbourhood Recordings)
Emma-Jean Thackray - 'Yellow' (Movementt)
Mustafa - 'When Smoke Rises' (Young)
Nilüfer Yanya - 'Painless' (ATO Records)
SAULT - 'NINE' (Forever Living Originals)
Walt Disco - 'Unlearning' (Lucky Number)
Best [Difficult] Second Album in association with BBC6 Music
Black Country, New Road - ‘Ants From Up There’ (Ninja Tune)
Jana Rush - ‘Painful Enlightenment’ (Planet Mu Records)
Nilüfer Yanya - ‘Painless’ (ATO Records)
Ross From Friends - ‘Tread’ (Brainfeeder)
Tirzah - 'Colourgrade' (Domino Recording Company)
Best Independent Remix
ATO - 'no caroline remix' (FLOHIO) (MCMXCV)
Erike de Casier - 'Polite (Mura Masa Remix)' (4AD)
Ibeyi - 'Lavender & Red Roses ft. Jorja Smith (Champion Remix)' (XL Recordings)
MF DOOM - 'Gazzillion Ear (Thom Yorke Man on Fire Remix)' (Lex Records)
Shygirl - 'BDE (Kaydy Cain Remix)' (Because Music)
One To Watch in association with BBC Introducing
Barry Can't Swim (Technicolour / Ninja Tune)
Jeshi (Because Music)
Léa Sen (Partisan Records)
Nia Archives (HIJINXX)
TAAHLIAH (untitled (recs))
Music Entrepreneur Of The Year
Corey Johnson (CEO & Founder of Defenders Ent.)
Jamie Oborne (Founder of Dirty Hit/All On Red Management)
Karen Emanuel (CEO and Founder of Key Production)
Laura Lewis-Paul (Founder & CEO of Saffron Music)
Peter Adarkwah (Label Owner of BBE Music)
Best Independent Label
Domino Recording Company
Ninja Tune
Partisan Records
Rough Trade
Soundway Records
Best Boutique Label
Chess Club
Edition Records
Finesse Foreva
Local Action
Rough Bones
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist
Arlo Parks (Transgressive Records)
D.O.D (Axtone Records)
KC Lights (Toolroom Productions)
Rathbone Place (Good Company Records)
Wet Leg (Domino Recording Company)
Best Creative Campaign in association with Able
Fontaines D.C. - 'Skinty Fia' (Partisan Records)
Maylee Todd - 'Maloo' (Stones Throw Records)
Mitski - 'Laurel Hell' (Dead Oceans)
Obongjayar - 'Some Nights I Dream of Doors' (September Recordings)
Radiohead - 'KID A MNESIA' (XL Recordings)
NEWS & PRESS
Ostereo expands team and music catalogue with new hires and signings
New hires include Campaign Manager for Asia and A&R/Digital Manager Original records to be released in 2024 for numerous domestic and overseas artists Ostereo reports international streaming success Ostereo, the UK-based music label and publishing company, has announced an expansion with new hires and signings...more
Nadia Khan appointed as Chair of EarthPercent
EarthPercent, the charity which harnesses the power of the music industry to support the most impactful climate organisations around the world, has announced the appointment of Nadia Khan as its Chair. Nadia Khan is the first externally appointed Chair to the...more
Showcasing diversity in the European independent music scene -Â Impala's 100 Artists to Watch for 2024 in collaboration with YouTube
For the third year in a row, IMPALA returns with its highly anticipated 100 Artists to Watch 2024 edition in collaboration with YouTube. This year, we're excited to showcase a vibrant selection of emerging talent from across the European independent...more
Taylor Swift, SEVENTEEN and Morgan Wallen top IFPI Global Album Charts
IFPI releases three more Global Charts for 2023, celebrating the biggest albums of the year across different formats SEVENTEEN, who reached #1 on IFPI’s Global Album and Global Album Sales Charts, pose with their awards. (Photo courtesy of PLEDIS Entertainment) IFPI, the...more
Wise Music Group sign Portico Quartet
Wise Music Group announces the signing of Portico Quartet to the global independent publishing group, as they join the roster through Campbell Connelly & Co in an exclusive songwriter agreement. The deal includes their back catalogue and future work. Led by...more
Universal Music Group and Spotify Expand Strategic Relationship
Companies to collaborate on new promotional and social tools to help artists and songwriters drive interaction and excitement around new releases UMG artists will soon be able to share short pre-release teasers and expanded pre-save opportunities on Spotify Universal Music Group (UMG),...more
IMS Ibiza 2024 - Full Summit Program Announced
IMS Ibiza, the thought-leadership platform at the intersection of culture, education, industry, and wellness in electronic music, announces today the full program for the fifteenth edition of the summit. Across 60+ discussions and sessions, 125+ speakers will come together with...more
Jordan Rakei announced as the inaugural ‘Artist In Residence’ at Abbey Road Studios
Today (27th March), Jordan Rakei has been announced as the first ever ‘Artist In Residence’ at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios. The role is the first in a series of new ‘in residence’ appointments, designed to enhance Abbey Road’s position...more
Miraval’s Mystery Vinyl [Music For Your Tastebuds] Pop Up Record Shop From Record Store Day & Studio By Miraval
Record Store Day and Studio by Miraval team up to launch pop-up record shop on Wednesday 17th April Vinyl enthusiasts have the chance to take home a brand-new mystery record and enjoy a glass of Studio by Miraval Rosé- for just £5! Proceeds...more
Jarvis Cocker and Darcus Beese OBE among keynote speakers revealed for the Great Escape Conference
TOM GRAY AND YOLANDA BROWN ALSO REVEALED FOR KEYNOTES PLUS AIM JOIN AS A CONFERENCE COLLABORATOR DOZENS MORE SPEAKERS The Great Escape has announced a raft of music legends and industry leaders as keynote speakers for its newly revamped conference, including Pulp frontman Jarvis...more
PPL pays out £18.8 million of international revenue in Q1 distribution
In today’s Q1 distribution of international revenue, PPL is paying £18.8 million to over 22,000 performers and recording rights holders. The payment is up 7% on the Q1 payment made in March 2023. The first of four payments made by...more
TCE Presents & Broadwick group announce partnership
TCE PRESENTS & BROADWICK ISSUE A JOINT STATEMENT: Pioneering spaces and culture group 'Broadwick', and New York's leading event design company 'TCE presents', announce new US venture Respectively revered for their work within the global live events industry, today - two of...more
Manana Music Management launch new full service venture for Scotland's electronic music scene
Mañana Music Management, the Glasgow-based management company behind Joesef, t e s t p r e s s, Theo Bleak and Citizen Papes are delighted to announce a new electronic-based music venture: Mañana Electronic. Operating as a full service company, Mañana Electronic will offer expertise in management,...more
Soundmouse by Orfium appointed official music reporting partner for South Korean broadcast industry
Soundmouse by Orfium will enable music creators and rights holders in the world’s seventh largest music market to receive accurate and transparent royalty payments for the use of their music on radio and television Soundmouse by Orfium (“the Company”) has been selected by...more
Loop.Fans launches Web3 Music Awards - Helping Emerging Artists Grow through AI and Blockchain Technology
Website | Awards Loop.Fans is here to empower both Artists and SuperFans by leveraging the power of the latest Web3, AI and blockchain technology. The platform enables emerging talent in the electronic music industry to gain new followers, engage with and...more
GENIE (Gender Equality Networks in Europe) Project Launch
Launch Date: 2 April 2024 www.geniedatabase.comInstagram: @geniedatabase Gender equality activist and researcher Grace Goodwin launches GENIE (Gender Equality Networks in Europe), an online database of over 300 projects across 25 countries supporting gender equality in music. The database features projects ranging...more
Teddy Swims signs to Warner Chappell Music
Powerhouse Vocalist Hit No. 1 On The Billboard Hot 100 This Week With His Global Smash “Lose Control” Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has signed a global publishing deal with masterful singer and songwriter, Teddy Swims. With his RIAA platinum-certified smash hit...more
So.Co Image of Music Awards 2024Â winners announced
VIEW IMAGES HERE Winners of seven categories unveiled at lively event in London Fearghal McGlinchey crowned Music Photographer of the Year McGlinchey also wins Image of Music with shot of Greta Van Fleet Young Music Photographer of the Year awarded to Grace Prachthauser Jill Furmanovsky...more
Concord Music Publishing signs legendary soul singer and songwriter William Bell
Today, Concord Music Publishing announced the signing of iconic soul singer-songwriter, legend of Stax Records and Memphis Music Hall of Fame inductee William Bell. The administration deal, effective immediately, includes a selection of Bell’s catalog and all future works. William Bell states: "I am very...more
Grassroots music inquiry - FAC comment
Today, the Culture Media & Sport Committee held three evidence sessions to explore the ongoing crisis in the grassroots music sector, after 125 venues reportedly abandoned live music in 2023. In the third of these sessions, David Martin, CEO, Featured Artists Coalition, appeared alongside...more
Bruce Springsteen to become a Fellow of the Ivors Academy
SPRINGSTEEN MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITER TO RECEIVE THE HONOUR FELLOWSHIP RECOGNISES HIS INFLUENCE AND IMPACT ON THE CRAFT OF SONGWRITING Bruce Springsteen will receive the award at the world’s biggest and most prestigious celebration of songwriters, The Ivors with...more
The Radio Academy announces nominees for ARIAS 2024
Hosted by Alice Levine & Romesh Ranganathan, plus backstage interviews with Sam Thompson The Radio Academy today reveals the 211 nominees that will be recognised at the 2024 ARIAS on Tuesday 7th May at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London.The Radio Academy ARIAS (Audio and Radio Industry Awards) are the UK's leading audio and radio awards that...more
Hybe and Universal Music Group announce new global alliance
The new global agreement will give UMG exclusive distribution rights across HYBE's roster of artists and labels HYBE today announced an expanded long-term agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG), providing them exclusive distribution rights across HYBE music for the next 10...more
Rewind and Fast Forward: Keychange announces Impact Evaluation Report
Rewind and Fast Forward: Keychange announces Impact Evaluation Report (2018 - 2023) and unveils Keychange Manifesto 2.0 Celebrating 5 years of transformative impact and charting the path forward for gender equity in music at Tallinn Music Week in Estonia on April...more
Calling All Music Creators! UK Music Needs Your Help
UK Music is launching its 2024 economic survey for music creators. As the collective voice for the UK music industry, UK Music needs data on creator’s earnings in 2023 to help it to calculate the economic contribution the industry made to the...more
AIF statement on Shindig Festival closure
Comment from AIF CEO John Rostron on Shindig Festival's announcement that its 2024 edition will be its last. This is now the 28th UK festival to announce its postponement, cancellation or closure in 2024. A full list of lost festivals can be found here. AIF...more
Royal Albert Hall’s songwriter showcase goes national
The Royal Albert Hall’s ‘Future Makers’ programme, for musicians aged 14 to 19 who write their own music, is going national for the first time. The project, which has been running across London since 2022, provides talented young musicians with a...more
FKP Scorpio UK & Communion Presents announce formation of Communion One
THE TWO COMPANIES JOIN FORCES AS LIVE PROMOTERS FOR LIKES OF ED SHEERAN, SAM FENDER, NOAH KAHAN, PHOEBE BRIDGERS, LEWIS CAPALDI, AND MITSKI COMMUNION ONE TO PRODUCE 15,000 CAPACITY THREE NIGHT LIVE EVENT SERIES AT BRISTOL’S QUEEN SQUARE FROM 2025...more
Turn on, tune in, rock out: introducing the UK's newest music television destination - Staccs TV
Staccs TV will offer high-quality music videos, concert clips, exclusive recordings and original programming - on Samsung TV Plus Staccs TV is the latest free, ad-supported television (FAST) channel available to UK viewers Expansion marks a milestone for the Swedish start up,...more
Yolanda Brown breaks a Guinness World Records title
THE MOST MONEY RAISED BY A RESTAURANT ON KICKSTARTER WORLDWIDE YOLANDA BROWN OBE DL PUSHES BOUNDARIES AND RAISES QUARTER OF A MILLION POUND FOR MUSIC VENUE AND RESTAURANT ‘SOUL MAMA’ YOLANDA BROWN - CHANGING THE FACE OF VENUE OWNERSHIP Today, musician, broadcaster, composer and philanthropist, YolanDa Brown...more
THE HEADLINES
Is the US too reliant on paid subscriptions? (see Analysis)
Misogyny, sexual discrimination and harassment are still everyday problems for female musicians (see Reports)
Believe's board asks Warner Music Group to make acquisition offer (see Business)
Why are IFPI & MIDiA’s 2023 revenue figures so far apart? (see Analysis)
IFPI: Global recorded music revenues grew 10.2% in 2023 (see Reports)
How have one-hit wonders changed over time? (see Analysis)
TikTok: MPs raise concerns about UK ownership (see News); AI ambitions (see Digital); UK Artist Playbook (see Reports)
The composer with 650 different names identified as Sweden’s most-listened-to artist on Spotify (see Digital)
Recorded Music Market report shows 9.8% growth in 2023 (see Reports)
Spotify updates its Loud & Clear website with 2023 data (see Reports)
Murmur launches with pledges to drive change in environmental solutions (see News)
Global music revenue continued to rise in 2023. So why are some music organisations sounding the alarm? (see Comment)
Can Sweden keep its edge in the music industry? (see Features)
Industry welcomes Labour Party's pledges to the music sector (see News)