Wet Leg and Nova Twins were among the crowned winners of the AIM Independent Music Awards 2022.
The two bands have walked away with UK Independent Breakthrough and Best Independent Track respectively.
Elsewhere, other winners in other categories include Mitski, Jeshi, Blxst, TAAHLIAH, Cleo Sol, Nilüfer Yanya, Champion, Nia Archives, Corey Johnson and Rough.
The will of stormzyRina Sawayama, Lethal Bizzle and The Libertines have also been recognized, with the Big For Your Boots rapper announced as the Diversity Champion winner.
He was recognized for using his platform to level the playing field in the music industry and inspire wider society through his charitable foundation #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 force in it, and not just see it as a quota or a box to tick but really see the value.’
The AIM Independent Music Awards celebrate artists and labels at the forefront of the independent sector’s success.
After rapidly rising through the ranks of the indie rock scene thanks to their stellar choruses and label backing, Wet Leg (who is signed to Domino Recording Company) has crept in as winners of UK Independent Breakthrough in association with YouTube Music.
Meanwhile, Nova Twins (signed to Marshall Records) scores Best Independent Track in collaboration with Meta for Antagonist after a similar upward trajectory this year.
On the LP front, Cleo Sol (signed to Forever Living Originals) took home the Best Independent Album in collaboration 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.
Nilüfer Yanya shared via a video link: ‘I just wanted to say thank you so much for the award. Really means a lot, especially from AIM.’
The awards introduced two new categories this year, Best Independent EP/Mixtape and Music Entrepreneur Of The Year, with Scottish producer Taahliah’s Angelica and Corey Johnson (signed to CEO and founder of Defenders Ent.) winning respectively.
The latter is also recognized for his work founding The Digital Holdings studio to create a safe space in the UK rap scene.
With past recipients including Arlo Parks and ENNY, Nia Archives is destined 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) caused a stir thanks to his recent debut album. and are on the new Kendrick Lamar album.
With over 29,000 votes cast by fans across the category, Mitski (signed to Dead Oceans) came out on top as Best Live Artist for her respected show and UK DJ DOD (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 groundbreaking and uplifting community ethos in dance music.
Full list of AIM Independent Music Awards 2022 winners:
Diversity Champion – Stormzy
Best Independent Album in Collaboration with Spotify – Cleo Sol, Mother (Forever Living Originals)
Best Independent Track In Collaboration With Meta – Nova Twins, Antagonist (Marshall Records)
UK Independent Breakthrough in association with YouTube Music – Wet Leg (Domino Recording Company)
International breakthrough in collaboration with Deezer – Blxst (Red Bull Records)
Best Live Artist – Mitski (Dead Oceans)
Best [Difficult] Second album in association with BBC 6 Music – Nilüfer Yanya, Painless (ATO Records)
Innovator Award in collaboration with Amazon Music – Rina Sawayama
Outstanding Contribution to Music in Collaboration 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 collaboration with BBC Introducing – Nia Archives (HIJINXX)
Best Independent Video in Collaboration with VEVO – Jeshi, 3210 (Because Music)
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist – DOD (Axtone Records)
Best Creative Campaign with Able – Maylee Todd, Stones Throw Records Maloo Campaign
Best Independent Label – Rough Trade Records
Best Boutique Label – Local Action
Independent Champion in collaboration with MCPS – Kenny Gates and Michel Lambot of [PIAS]
Music Entrepreneur of the Year – Corey Johnson, CEO and Founder of Defenders Ent.
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