The AIM Independent Music Awards took place last night, celebrating artists, labels, retailers and entrepreneurs from across the sector. Among those in attendance was Björk, making her first in-person appearance at an awards show since the 2012 Webbys to collect the public-voted Best Live Performer prize.
Winners included Raye and 070 Shake - the latter CMU Approved back in 2020 - for their track ‘Escapism’, and Wesley Joseph - also featured in the CMU Approved column last year - who picked up Best Independent Video for ‘Monsoon’.
On the industry side, winners included founder of the Young label Caius Pawson, who was named Music Entrepreneur Of The Year; Speedy Wunderground’s Dan Carey, who receive the Innovator Award; and Brighton record shop Resident Music, which was named Independent Champion.
"The AIM Awards are always about more than celebrating the nominees, winners and attendees in the room; they celebrate everyone across our varied and diverse rightsholder community throughout the regions and nations”, says AIM CEO Silvia Montello.
“From the founders and long-established labels who’ve defined our sector right through to those forming the future independents. From the entrepreneurs driving new creative businesses to the artists carving out their independent journey”.
“AIM celebrates”, she continues, “the legends, visionaries, innovators and all the creative talent who continue to keep our UK's vibrant independent music community the envy of the world”.
Here's the full list of winners:
- Best Independent Album: Avelino - God Save The Streets (More Music Records/ OddChild Music)
- Best Independent Track: Raye & 070 Shake - Escapism (Human Re Sources)
- Best Independent EP/Mixtape: Enny - We Go Again (FAMM)
- Best Independent Remix: Nu:Tone Remix (Hospital Records) - GLXY - Butterfly Effect (feat. Hugh Hardie & Visionobi)
- Best Independent Video: Wesley Joseph - Monsoon (EEVILTWINN)
- PPL Award For Most Played New Independent Artist: Wet Leg (Domino Records)
- Best Live Performer: Björk: (One Little Independent)
- UK Independent Breakthrough: Shygirl (Because Music)
- One To Watch: Laughta (MDLBEAST)
- Best Creative Campaign: Partisan Records (Ezra Collective - Where I’m Meant To Be)
- Best Independent Label: Hospital Records
- Best Boutique Label: Rough Bones
- Independent Champion: Resident Music
- Music Entrepreneur Of The Year: Caius Pawson - Young / Space
- Innovator Award: Dan Carey
- Diversity Champion: Charisse Beaumont - Black Lives In Music
- Outstanding Contribution To Music: Stephen & David Dewaele - Soulwax / 2manydjs (Because Music / [PIAS])