Björk Triumphs at AIM Awards as Final Nominees Revealed
Icelandic visionary Björk clinches public-voted Best Live Performer
Black Lives in Music CEO, Dr Charisse Beaumont, honoured with Diversity Champion Award
Wet Leg and Surya Sen in competition for PPL’s Most Played New Independent Artist, as final nominees revealed
As anticipation grows for the UK’s biggest night in independent music, the Association of Independent Music (AIM) has crowned Björk with the coveted Best Live Performer award and revealed the Awards’ final nominees.
The Icelandic visionary fought off fierce competition from Beabadoobee and MUNA, surpassing Japan’s kawaii-metal girl band BABYMETAL at the eleventh hour to clinch the publicly-voted award. Björk’s Cornucopia tour debuted at NYC’s The Shed to stellar reviews. Conceptually devised from her latest album ‘Utopia’, the shows are a spectacle of sound and image. The tour continues into 2023, and is set to include music from Grammy-nominated album ‘Fossora’.
Hosted at London’s iconic Roundhouse on 26 September, the 2023 Awards see the return of the PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist, with a competitive shortlist featuring the flag-bearer of new British rap AntsLive, infectiously energetic DJ John Summit, playful hip-hop and house pioneer Surya Sen, Top 40 drum & bass producer Vibe Chemistry and chart-topping indie-rock duo Wet Leg.
Dr Charisse Beaumont, CEO of Black Lives in Music (BLiM), has been named Diversity Champion in recognition of her groundbreaking work at the forefront of creating an inclusive music industry, such as the rollout of BLiM’s voluntary Music Industry Anti-Racism Code. Beaumont has recently been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of West London (alongside BLiM co-founder Roger Wilson), for her continued efforts to achieve equality for Black musicians and professionals.
Adding to the excitement, the competition runs hot in the ‘Best Independent Label’ category. Nods were given to UK house music powerhouse Defected Records, Forever Living Originals – the home of SAULT and Cleo Sol, world-leading D&B label Hospital Records, One Little Independent – whose artists include Björk and Laura Misch – and Transgressive, who count Loyle Carner, Arlo Parks and Flume on their roster.
‘Best Boutique Label’ nominees are Chess Club Records – home to Alfie Templeman and Pixey, famed electronic label Glasgow Underground, Houndstooth – home to Special Request, boundary-pushing Rough Bones, and Lime Garden’s So Young Records.
‘Music Entrepreneur of the Year’ shines a light on an individual within the independent community who has shown considerable innovation and success. This years’ shortlist includes founder of music marketing app Un:hurd Alex Brees, Young founder & label head Caius Pawson, Director at Good Energy PR Jess Kangalee, founder and CEO of creative solutions company Forward Slash Ketura Cummings and founder of HQ Familia record label and studio Yasin El-Ashrafi.
‘Best Creative Campaign’ is awarded to labels whose teams have executed outstanding album campaigns, using innovation to bring an enhanced experience for fans. 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’), and XL Recordings (Yaeji - ‘With A Hammer’) are all in the running.
Silvia Montello, CEO at AIM said: “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!”
Returning to the Roundhouse on 26 September as the most anticipated night in the independent music calendar, the AIM Independent Music Awards recognise the achievements of independent labels, artists and entrepreneurs that make up the UK’s diverse and thriving independent music sector. The 2023 Awards will focus on celebrating the independent music community, incorporating exclusive and intimate live performances set to take place during the ceremony.
Newly announced winners and nominees
Diversity Champion
Charisse Beaumont - Black Lives in Music
Best Live Performance
Björk (One Little Independent)
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’)
Previously announced nominees
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 - ‘Cliche’
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)
About AIM
AIM is the not-for-profit trade organisation representing and supporting the UK’s independent music community, which makes up over a quarter of the UK’s recorded music market. Now in its 24th year, AIM’s members range from the largest, most respected record labels and associated music businesses in the world to DIY or self-releasing artists and the next generation of entrepreneurs in music. These include 4AD, Black Acre, Beggars Group, Blue Raincoat, CTRL Music, Dirty Hit, Domino Recording Co, FAMM, Finesse Foreva, Hospital Records, Ninja Tune, Numbers, Partisan, Transgressive, Secretly Canadian, Stones Throw, Supernature, Warp, and XL Recordings.
AIM exists to level the playing field for UK independent music businesses - the beating heart of music. No matter their genre, their background, how much money they have, how they identify or their age, AIM provides access to the knowledge and contacts creative entrepreneurs need to create, build and win. AIM supports its members, not only through the difficult times, but also on a day-to-day level with practical support that makes a real difference to their lives and work, helping them take their businesses to the next level.