Entertainment
Wet Leg and Nova Twins crowned winners at AIM Independent Music Awards 2022 while Stormzy announced as Diversity Champion-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro
The AIM Independent Music Awards celebrate artists and labels at the forefront of the independent sector’s success.
Stormzy was crowned Diversity Champion (Picture: AIM Independent Music Awards)
Wet Leg and Nova Twins have been amongst those crowned winners at the AIM Independent Music Awards 2022.
The two bands have walked away with UK Independent Breakthrough and Best Independent Track respectively.
Elsewhere, other winners across other categories include Mitski, Jeshi, Blxst, TAAHLIAH, Cleo Sol, Nilüfer Yanya, Champion, Nia Archives, Corey Johnson, and Rough.
The likes of Stormzy, Rina Sawayama, Lethal Bizzle and The Libertines have also been recognised, with the Big For Your Boots rapper announced as the Diversity Champion winner.
He was crowned with the honour 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.
In his acceptance speech, he said: ‘I encourage everyone in the room today to not just use diversity as a buzzword, whatever role you play, to really be a driving factor in it, not just see it as a quota or a box to tick but really see the worth.’
The Libertines were also recognised (Picture: Roger Sargent)
The AIM Independent Music Awards celebrate artists and labels at the forefront of the independent sector’s success.
After rapidly rising up the ranks of the indie rock scene due to their killer choruses and label guidance, Wet Leg (who are signed to Domino Recording Company) have sauntered in as winners of UK Independent Breakthrough in association with YouTube Music.
Meanwhile Nova Twins (signed to Marshall Records) scoop Best Independent Track in association with Meta for Antagonist after a similar upward trajectory this year.
Lethal Bizzle won Outstanding Contribution to Music (Picture: AIM Independent Music Awards0
On the LP front, Cleo Sol (signed to Forever Living Originals) took home Best Independent Album in association with Spotify for the majestic Mother and Nilüfer Yanya (signed to ATO Records) reigned supreme in the Best [Difficult] Second Album in association with BBC 6 Music category.
Via video link, Nilüfer Yanya shared: ‘Just wanted to say thanks so much for the award. Really means a lot, especially coming from AIM.’
The awards this year introduced two new categories, Best Independent EP/Mixtape and Music Entrepreneur Of The Year, with Scottish producer Taahliah‘s Angelica and Corey Johnson (signed to CEO & Founder of Defenders Ent.) winning respectively.
Nova Twins scorest best independent track (Picture: AIM Independent Music Awards)
The latter is also recognised for his work founding The Digital Holdings studio to create a safe space in the UK rap scene.
With previous recipients including Arlo Parks and ENNY, Nia Archives has been earmarked for similar stratospheric success by winning this year’s One To Watch in association with BBC Introducing, while American rapper and songwriter Blxst (Red Bull Records) has been making waves thanks to his recent debut album and feature on the new Kendrick Lamar album.
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With over 29,000 votes cast by fans across the category, Mitski (signed to Dead Oceans) emerged victorious as the Best Live Performer for her revered show and British DJ D.O.D (signed to Axtone Records) claims the PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist.
After celebrating their tenth anniversary this year, Local Action win Best Boutique Label for their trailblazing and uplifting community ethos in dance music.
Full list of AIM Independent Music Awards 2022 winners:
Diversity Champion – Stormzy
Best Independent Album in association with Spotify – Cleo Sol, Mother (Forever Living Originals)
Best Independent Track in association with Meta – Nova Twins, Antagonist (Marshall Records)
UK Independent Breakthrough in association with YouTube music – Wet Leg (Domino Recording Company)
International Breakthrough in association with Deezer – Blxst (Red Bull Records)
Best Live Perfomer – Mitski (Dead Oceans)
Best [Difficult] Second Album in association with BBC 6 Music – Nilüfer Yanya, Painless (ATO Records)
Innovator Award in association with Amazon Music – Rina Sawayama
Outstanding Contribution to Music in association with Merlin – Lethal Bizzle
Special Recognition – The Libertines (Rough Trade)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape – Taahliah, Angelica
Best Independent Remix – Champion remix of Ibeyi, Lavender & Red Roses ft. Jorja Smith (XL Recordings)
One To Watch in association with BBC Introducing – Nia Archives (HIJINXX)
Best Independent Video in association with VEVO – Jeshi, 3210 (Because Music)
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist – D.O.D (Axtone Records)
Best Creative Campaign in association with Able – Maylee Todd, Maloo campaign from Stones Throw Records
Best Independent Label – Rough Trade Records
Best Boutique Label – Local Action
Independent Champion in association with MCPS – Kenny Gates and Michel Lambot of [PIAS]
Music Entrepreneur Of The Year – Corey Johnson, CEO & Founder of Defenders Ent.
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