AIM Independent Music Awards
Final nominations have been announced for this year’s Association of Independent Music (AIM) Awards. Electronic music producer Barry Can’t Swim (real name: Joshua Mainnie) leads the pack with three nominations, followed closely by Jorja Smith, Sampha, CASISDEAD and Kneecap, who are up for two awards each.
Singer-songwriter Sampha, who is in the running for best independent video and best independent track, will be among the live performers on the night, alongside Manchester rapper and fellow nominee OneDa.
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The 14th edition of the annual awards show, which recognizes the achievements of the artists, labels, entrepreneurs and companies that make up the U.K.’s indie sector, is set for Oct. 17 at London’s Roundhouse venue.
Nominees also include D-Block Europe, Kim Gordon, Actress, rapper Skrapz, Mount Kimbie, Anohni and the Johnsons and jazz nine-piece Nubiyan Twist, who are all in the running for the best independent album prize alongside Smith and Barry Can’t Swim.
AIM announced the nominees in seven categories on Aug. 13, but have now announced the nominees in all 14 competitive categories, as well as the recipient of the diversity champion award. Afrobeats artist, producer and songwriter Silvastone, who has collaborated with the likes of Popcaan, Sneakbo, Bugzy Malone and Lady Leshurr, has been named AIM’s 2024 diversity champion in recognition of his commitment to his local community in Croydon and work as a youth ambassador.
R&B singer Jorja Smith, a 2019 Grammy nominee for best new artist, is also listed in the best independent track category for her hit “Little Things,” which reached No. 11 on the Official U.K. Singles chart.
2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective, Fontaines D.C., KNEECAP, Hudson Mohawke and Nikki Nair, Sampha, NikNak, Matthew Halsall, Amy Gadiaga and CASISDEAD — who was crowned best hip-hop/grime/rap act at the BRIT Awards on March 2 – round out the best track shortlist.
Other categories announced on Tuesday (Oct. 1) by AIM, which represents more than 1,000 U.K. independent artists and music companies, include best independent label. Heavenly Recordings, Ninja Tune, Partisan Records, Seattle’s Sub Pop Records and British indie Transgressive Records are the nominees in that category.
New for 2024 is the award for the U.K.’s best independent record store. Drift in Totnes, Manchester-based Piccadilly Records, Rough Trade Bristol and London’s Honest Jon’s and Stranger Than Paradise Records are all in the running for the inaugural prize.
The top five list for the public-voted best live performer title numbers Belfast rap trio Kneecap, Laura Misch, Pendulum, Raye and Frank Turner. All other nominees and winners are decided by the AIM board and a panel of expert judges.
The five contenders for the independent breakthrough award number London rapper CASISDEAD, Barry Can’t Swim, Bar Italia, Saint Harison and Wunderhorse, who all receive free access to studio time at London’s Metropolis Studios as part of their nomination.
AIM’s One to Watch category, which has previously been collected by Nia Archives and Arlo Parks, shines a light on spoken word artist Antony Szmierek, drum and bass MC OneDa, DJ Kitty Amor and artist/producers Lynks and Miso Extra.
Sponsors and media partners for October’s awards ceremony, which will be hosted by BBC Radio 1 DJ Jack Saunders, include Spotify, Vevo, Meta, Notion, Amazon Music and the BBC.
Here’s the full list of nominees for the 2024 AIM Independent Music Awards:
Diversity Champion
Silvastone
Best Independent Label
Heavenly Recordings
Ninja Tune
Partisan Records
Sub Pop Records
Transgressive Records
Best Creative Campaign
Chrysalis Records (BODEGA, ‘Our Brand Could Be Yr Life’)
Dead Oceans (Slowdive, ‘everything is alive’)
Identity Music (Lofi Girl, ‘Snowman’)
Warp Records (Aphex Twin, ‘Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760’)
Young (Sampha, ‘LAHAI’)
Best Live Performer
Frank Turner (Xtra Mile Recordings)
KNEECAP (Heavenly Recordings)
Laura Misch (One Little Independent)
Pendulum (Mushroom Music)
RAYE (Human Re Sources)
Best Boutique Label
AD 93
Houndstooth
LAB Records
New Soil
Sonic Cathedral
PPL Award for Most Played Independent Artist
Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune)
Coach Party (Chess Club Records)
Far From Saints (Ignition Records)
Popeth (Recordiau Côsh Records)
Tom A. Smith (TYM Records)
Best Independent Record Store
Drift
Honest Jon’s
Piccadilly
Rough Trade Bristol
Stranger Than Paradise Records
Music Entrepreneur of the Year
Andrew Batey (Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Beatdapp)
Atlanta Cobb (Founder & Director, Music Industry Mentor)
Colin Batsa (President and Chairman, EGA Distro)
Meg Carnie (Studio Manager / Co-Founder / Artist Manager – South Lanes Studios)
Tom Allen (President, Downtown Royalties and Financial Services, Downtown Music)
Best Independent Album
Actress – LXXXVIII (Ninja Tune)
ANOHNI and the Johnsons – My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross (Rough Trade Records)
Barry Can’t Swim – When Will We Land? (Ninja Tune)
D-Block Europe – Rolling Stone (EGA Distro)
Jorja Smith – falling or flying (FAMM)
Kim Gordon – The Collective (Matador Records)
Mount Kimbie – The Sunset Violent (Warp Records)
Nabihah Iqbal – Dreamer (Ninja Tune)
Nubiyan Twist – Find Your Flame (Strut Records)
Skrapz – Reflection (EGA Distro)
Best Independent Remix
“The Egyptian Lover Remix” – Sudan Archives – Freakalizer (Stones Throw Records)
“Joy Anonymous Remix” – Ezra Collective, Sampa the Great – JOY (Life Goes On) (Partisan Records)
“L BEATS Mashup” – Jorja Smith – Little Things x Gypsy Woman (FAMM)
“Olof Dreijer Remix” – Björk – Oral (feat. Rosalia) (One Little Independent)
“P-rallel Remix” – Aluna, Jayda G – Mine O’ Mine (Mad Decent Under Exclusive Licence to Because Music)
One To Watch
Antony Szmierek (LAB Records)
Kitty Amor (Defected Records)
Lynks (Heavenly Recordings)
Miso Extra (Transgressive Records)
OneDa (Heavenly Recordings)
Best Independent Track
Amy Gadiaga – “All Black Everything” (Jazz re:freshed)
CASISDEAD – “Venom” (XL Recordings)
Ezra Collective – “Ajala” (Partisan Records)
Fontaines DC – “Starburster” (XL Recordings)
Hudson Mohawke & Nikki Nair – “Set the Roof” (Warp Records)
Jorja Smith – “Little Things” (FAMM)
KNEECAP, Grian Chatten – “Better Way To Live” (Heavenly Recordings)
Matthew Halsall – “An Ever Changing View” (Gondwana Records)
NikNak – “1200RPM” (Accidental Records)
Sampha – “Spirit 2.0” (Young)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape
George Riley – Un/limited Love (Ninja Tune)
Headie One & K-Trap – Strength to Strength (One Records and Thousand8)
HONESTY – BOX (Partisan Records)
JGrrey – If Not Now? (PACE, a subsidiary of Marathon Music Group)
Potter Payper – Thanks for Hating (EGA Distro)
UK Independent Breakthrough
Bar Italia (Matador Records)
Barry Can’t Swim (Ninja Tune)
CASISDEAD (XL Recordings)
Saint Harison (Tell Your Friends)
Wunderhorse (Communion Records)
Best Independent Video
Gia Ford – “Poolside” (Chrysalis Records)
Khruangbin – “A Love International” (Dead Oceans)
Master Peace – “I Might Be Fake” feat. Georgia (PMR Records)
Mitski – “My Love Mine All Mine” (Dead Oceans)
Sampha – “Only” (Young)
The American Association of Independent Music, Inc. is adding three new categories to the 2024 A2IM Libera Awards. They are: Publisher of the year, honoring the publishing company that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to songwriters, composers, and the broader independent industry. Distributor of the year, celebrating the distributor that has made significant contributions to the […]
Wet Leg and RAYE & 070 Shake were among the winners at the 2023 AIM Independent Music Awards, which were presented on Tuesday (Sept. 26) by the Association of Independent Music (AIM) at London’s Roundhouse.
Wet Leg won the PPL award for most played new independent artist. The duo also won Grammys on Feb. 5 for best alternative music album for their eponymous debut album and best alternative music performance for “Chaise Longue.” They were also nominated for best new artist.
RAYE and 070 Shake won the AIM Award for best independent track for their global hit “Escapism.” The song reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January.
Shygirl won UK independent breakthrough following a widely praised debut, Nymph, and a series of sold-out shows.
In her first in-person appearance at an awards show since the 2012 Webbys, Björk collected AIM’s publicly-voted award for best live performer, beating Beabadoobee, MUNA and Japan’s kawaii-metal girl band BABYMETAL. Björk has put 14 albums on the Billboard 200, including Volta, which debuted and peaked at No. 9 in 2007.
Best Creative Campaign was won by Partisan Records for Ezra Collective‘s Where I’m Meant to Be campaign, with the newly-crowned Mercury Prize winners collecting the trophy in person.
Avelino, winner of best independent album, joined a celebration marking 50 years of hip-hop.
As previously announced, Dr. Charisse Beaumont, CEO of Black Lives in Music (BLiM), was named Diversity Champion in recognition of her groundbreaking work in creating an inclusive music industry, such as the rollout of BLiM’s voluntary Music Industry Anti-Racism Code.
The AIM Independent Music Awards recognize the achievements of independent labels, artists and entrepreneurs that make up the U.K.’s independent music sector.
Here’s a complete list of nominees for the 2023 AIM Awards, with winners marked.
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist
AntsLive (Payday Records, Trademark Records)
John Summit (Off The Grid Records)
Surya Sen (Skint Records)
Vibe Chemistry (DnB Allstars Records)
WINNER: Wet Leg (Domino Records)
Music Entrepreneur of the Year
Alex Brees – Un:hurd
WINNER: Caius Pawson – Young / Space
Jess Kangalee – Good Energy PR
Keturah Cummings – Forward Slash
Yasin El Ashrafi – HQ Familia
Best Boutique Label
Chess Club
Glasgow Underground
Houndstooth
WINNER: Rough Bones
So Young Records
Best Independent Label
Defected Records
Forever Living Originals
WINNER: Hospital Records
One Little Independent
Transgressive
Best Creative Campaign
Because Music (Shygirl – “Nymph”)
Dirty Hit (Rina Sawayama – “Hold the Girl”)
Human Re Sources (RAYE – “My 21st Century Blues”)
Ninja Tune (Young Fathers – “Heavy Heavy”)
WINNER: Partisan Records (Ezra Collective – “Where I’m Meant to Be”)
XL Recordings (Yaeji – “With a Hammer”)
UK Independent Breakthrough
Ezra Collective (Partisan Records)
I.Jordan (Ninja Tune)
Overmono (XL Recordings)
WINNER: Shygirl (Because Music)
Suki Waterhouse (Sub Pop)
Best Independent Track
Connie Constance – “Hurt You” (Play It Again Sam)
ENNY – “Charge It” (FAMM)
Four Tet – “Three Drums” (Text Records)
Makaya McCraven – “Dream Another” (XL Recordings)
Overmono – “Good Lies” (XL Recordings)
WINNER: RAYE, 070 Shake – “Escapism” (Human Re Sources)
Shygirl – “Shlut” (Because Music)
Sudan Archives – “Selfish Soul” (Stones Throw Records)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Spitting Off the Edge of the World” feat. Perfume Genius (Secretly Canadian)
Yves Tumor – “Echolalia” (Warp Records)
Best Independent EP/ Mixtape
Bellah – Adultsville (Base ‘N’ Rebulz X Marathon Music Group)
WINNER: ENNY – We Go Again (FAMM)
Jessica Winter – Limerance (Lucky Number)
Saint Joshua – EP2 (Ditto Music)
yunè pinku – BABYLON IX (PLATOON)
Best Independent Album
WINNER: Avelino – God Save The Streets (More Music Records/ OddChild Music)
Kelela – Raven (Warp Records)
Little Simz – No Thank You (Forever Living Originals)
Nova Twins – Supernova (Marshall Records)
Obongjayar – Some Nights I Dream of Doors (September Recordings)
Oliver Sim – Hideous Bastard (Young)
RAYE – My 21st Century Blues (Human Re Sources)
Rina Sawayama – Hold the Girl (Dirty Hit)
Shygirl – Nymph (Because Music)
Wu-Lu – LOGGERHEAD(Warp Records)
Best Independent Remix
Sega Bodega Remix (One Little Independent) – Björk – “Ovuke” (feat. Shygirl)
Soulwax Remix (Deewee / Because Music) – Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul – “Cliché”
WINNER: Nu:Tone Remix (Hospital Records) – GLXY – “Butterfly Effect” (feat. Hugh Hardie & Visionobi)
Jamie XX remix (Young) – Oliver Sim – “GMT”
Boys Noize (Secretly Canadian) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Wolf”
One to Watch
Jessica Winter (Lucky Number)
Juice Menace (Supernature)
FLOWEROVLOVE (FAE GRP)
WINNER: Laughta (MDLBEAST)
Master Peace (PMR)
Best Independent Video
Ezra Collective – “No Confusion” ft. Kojey Radical (Partisan Records)
Kelela – “Enough for Love” (Warp Records)
Obongjayar – “I Wish It Was Me (Live)” (September Recordings)
RAYE, 070 Shake – “Escapism” (Human Re Sources)
WINNER: Wesley Joseph – “MONSOON” (EEVILTWINN)
Independent Champion
Jaguar Bingham
WINNER: Resident Music
Cafe OTO
Innovator Award
WINNER: Dan Carey
Best Live Performer
WINNER: Björk (One Little Independent)
Diversity Champion
WINNER: Charisse Beaumont – Black Lives in Music
The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has revealed its nominees in 12 categories for the 2023 AIM Awards.
RAYE and Shygirl each received three nominations. 070 Shake, who collaborated with RAYE on “Escapism,” received two, as did Ezra Collective, Overmono and ENNY. Other notable nominees include: Wet Leg, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Yves Tumor, Little Simz and Rina Sawayama.
AIM also revealed the winners of two awards.
Björk won the publicly-voted Best Live Performance award, besting Beabadoobee, MUNA and Japan’s kawaii-metal girl band BABYMETAL.
Dr. Charisse Beaumont, CEO of Black Lives in Music (BLiM), was named Diversity Champion in recognition of her groundbreaking work in creating an inclusive music industry, such as the rollout of BLiM’s voluntary Music Industry Anti-Racism Code.
The AIM Independent Music Awards recognizes the achievements of independent labels, artists and entrepreneurs that make up the U.K.’s independent music sector.
Silvia Montello, CEO of AIM, said in a statement: “The AIM Independent Music Awards are a night to celebrate the best of the UK’s independent music community, and to showcase its triumphs and innovations. We are proud to be able to honour the diversity and talent across the UK ‘s independent labels, artists, entrepreneurs and champions and it’s fantastic to see continued public recognition of Björk’s trailblazing live shows!”
The awards will be presented at London’s Roundhouse on Sept. 26.
The ceremony will celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, an anniversary that has been feted at numerous awards shows already this year. The segment, supported by BBC 1Xtra, will recognize hip-hop’s influence and its lasting impact on the emergence of jungle, grime and drum & bass.
Here’s a complete list of nominees for the 2023 AIM Awards.
Best Live Performance
Björk (One Little Independent)
Diversity Champion
Charisse Beaumont – Black Lives in Music
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist
AntsLive (Payday Records, Trademark Records)
John Summit (Off The Grid Records)
Surya Sen (Skint Records)
Vibe Chemistry (DnB Allstars Records)
Wet Leg (Domino Records)
Music Entrepreneur of the Year
Alex Brees – Un:hurd
Caius Pawson – Young / Space
Jess Kangalee – Good Energy PR
Keturah Cummings – Forward Slash
Yasin El Ashrafi – HQ Familia
Best Boutique Label
Chess Club
Glasgow Underground
Houndstooth
Rough Bones
So Young Records
Best Independent Label
Defected Records
Forever Living Originals
Hospital Records
One Little Independent
Transgressive
Best Creative Campaign
Because Music (Shygirl – “Nymph”)
Dirty Hit (Rina Sawayama – “Hold the Girl”)
Human Re Sources (RAYE – “My 21st Century Blues”)
Ninja Tune (Young Fathers – “Heavy Heavy”)
Partisan Records (Ezra Collective – “Where I’m Meant to Be”)
XL Recordings (Yaeji – “With a Hammer”)
UK Independent Breakthrough
Ezra Collective (Partisan Records)
I.Jordan (Ninja Tune)
Overmono (XL Recordings)
Shygirl (Because Music)
Suki Waterhouse (Sub Pop)
Best Independent Track (Meta)
Connie Constance – “Hurt You” (Play It Again Sam)
ENNY – “Charge It” (FAMM)
Four Tet – “Three Drums” (Text Records)
Makaya McCraven – “Dream Another” (XL Recordings)
Overmono – “Good Lies” (XL Recordings)
RAYE, 070 Shake – “Escapism” (Human Re Sources)
Shygirl – “Shlut” (Because Music)
Sudan Archives – “Selfish Soul” (Stones Throw Records)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Spitting Off the Edge of the World” feat. Perfume Genius (Secretly Canadian)
Yves Tumor – “Echolalia” (Warp Records)
Best Independent EP/ Mixtape
Bellah – Adultsville (Base ‘N’ Rebulz X Marathon Music Group)
ENNY – We Go Again (FAMM)
Jessica Winter – Limerance (Lucky Number)
Saint Joshua – EP2 (Ditto Music)
yunè pinku – BABYLON IX (PLATOON)
Best Independent Album
Avelino – God Save The Streets (More Music Records/ OddChild Music)
Kelela – Raven (Warp Records)
Little Simz – No Thank You (Forever Living Originals)
Nova Twins – Supernova (Marshall Records)
Obongjayar – Some Nights I Dream of Doors (September Recordings)
Oliver Sim – Hideous Bastard (Young)
RAYE – My 21st Century Blues (Human Re Sources)
Rina Sawayama – Hold the Girl (Dirty Hit)
Shygirl – Nymph (Because Music)
Wu-Lu – LOGGERHEAD(Warp Records)
Best Independent Remix
Sega Bodega Remix (One Little Independent) – Björk – “Ovuke” (feat. Shygirl)
Soulwax Remix (Deewee / Because Music) – Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul – “Cliché”
Nu:Tone Remix (Hospital Records) – GLXY – “Butterfly Effect” (feat. Hugh Hardie & Visionobi)
Jamie XX remix (Young) – Oliver Sim – “GMT”
Boys Noize (Secretly Canadian) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Wolf”
One to Watch (BBC Music Introducing)
Jessica Winter (Lucky Number)
Juice Menace (Supernature)
FLOWEROVLOVE (FAE GRP)
Laughta (MDLBEAST)
Master Peace (PMR)
Best Independent Video (Vevo)
Ezra Collective – “No Confusion” ft. Kojey Radical (Partisan Records)
Kelela – “Enough for Love” (Warp Records)
Obongjayar – “I Wish It Was Me (Live)” (September Recordings)
RAYE, 070 Shake – “Escapism” (Human Re Sources)
Wesley Joseph – “MONSOON” (EEVILTWINN)
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