Because the tastemaker Awards present, highlighting the celebrities of the longer term usually earlier than some other ceremony, the 2023 version boasts a vastly thrilling array of nominees. R&B-led pop singer RAYE and experimental dance act Shygirl lead the pack with three nods every, whereas additional a number of nominees additionally embody British jazz quintet Ezra Collective, London-based Nigerian songwriter Obongjayar, futuristic genre-defier Kelela, and experimental newcomer Jessica Winter who every land two.
Because the highly-coveted ‘Finest Unbiased Album’ class makes its return, the eclectic nominees listing consists of 2020’s Pioneer Award winner Little Simz who first acquired an AIM Award accolade again in 2016. Subsequently successful a BRIT and the Mercury Music Prize in 2022, she’ll be hotly-tipped as her album ‘No Thank You’ joins earlier AIM Awards winners Nova Twins and Rina Sawayama, with ‘Supernova’ and ‘Maintain The Woman’ respectively. Topping off an unimaginable class shortlist, they’re joined by Kelela, Oliver Sim, Wu-Lu, Avelino, RAYE, and Shygirl. Soul-influencer rapper Obongjayar additionally earns a nomination for ‘Some Nights I Dream of Doorways’, along with his nod for ‘Finest Unbiased Video’ (in affiliation with Vevo) alongside Ezra Collective, Kelela, RAYE and Wesley Joseph.
This yr’s ‘One To Watch’ (in affiliation with BBC Music Introducing) is brimming with rising expertise, with nods going to Jessica Winter, Juice Menace, FLOWEROVLOVE, Laughta and Grasp Peace. Earlier winners of this class embody Arlo Parks, who has since scooped trophies on the BRITs and Mercurys, and Georgia, who subsequently acquired nominations from the Mercurys and NME Awards. Persevering with to maneuver from energy to energy, 2021’s One To Watch winner ENNY may even make a return this yr, with the South London rapper within the operating for ‘Finest Unbiased EP/Mixtape’ alongside Saint Joshua, yunè pinku, Bellah and Jessica Winter.
2023’s ‘UK Unbiased Breakthrough’ class showcases a star-studded listing of contenders, together with digital powerhouse duo Overmono, exuberant rapper Shygirl, alt-pop act Suki Waterhouse, high-energy producer I.Jordan and London-based jazz quintet Ezra Collective. Shygirl, RAYE and Overmono additionally discover themselves within the operating for ‘Finest Unbiased Monitor’ (in affiliation with Meta), all in good firm together with Sudan Archives’ vibrant ‘Egocentric Soul’, 4 Tet’s epic odyssey ‘Three Drums’ and Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Fragrance Genius’ collaborative ballad ‘Spitting Off The Edge Of The World’. Rounding out a powerful listing of tracks, the skills of Connie Constance, Yves Tumor and Makaya McCraven additionally obtain well-earned nods.
Additionally returning is the trophy for ‘Finest Unbiased Remix’, with nominees together with Jamie XX’s remix of Oliver Sim’s ‘GMT’, Soulwax’s remix of Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul’s ‘Cliche’, the Sega Bodega remix of Björk – ‘Ovuke (feat Shygirl), the Boys Noize remix of Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ ‘Wolf’, and the Nu:Tone Remix of GLXY (feat. Hugh Hardie & Visionobi)’s ‘Butterfly Impact’.
This yr, the ‘Finest Reside Performer’ choice will as soon as once more be put within the arms of music followers the world over, who can solid their vote for his or her favorite act right here: https://independentmusic.typeform.com/to/jBnh8hI9
Returning to the Roundhouse on 26 September as essentially the most anticipated night time within the impartial music calendar, the AIM Unbiased Music Awards recognise the achievements of impartial labels, artists and entrepreneurs that make up the UK’s various and thriving impartial music sector. The 2023 Awards will concentrate on celebrating the impartial music neighborhood, incorporating extra unique and intimate reside performances set to happen all through the ceremony.
Silvia Montello, CEO at AIM, commented: “This years’ AIM Unbiased Music Award nominees characterize our various, dynamic and inclusive neighborhood, actually showcasing the unimaginable vary of expertise throughout all genres of the UK music scene. Because the indie sector continues to develop, we stay up for celebrating the dedication of labels, artists, and their groups on the 26 September.”
AIM Awards 2023 nominees
UK Unbiased Breakthrough
Ezra Collective (Partisan Data)
I.Jordan (Ninja Tune)
Overmono (XL Recordings)
Shygirl (As a result of Music)
Suki Waterhouse (Sub Pop)
Finest Unbiased Monitor (Meta)
Connie Constance – ‘Harm You’ (Play It Once more Sam)
ENNY – Cost It (FAMM)
4 Tet – ‘Three Drums’ (Textual content Data)
Makaya McCraven – ‘Dream One other’ (XL Recordings)
Overmono – ‘Good Lies’ (XL Recordings)
RAYE, 070 Shake – ‘Escapism’ (Human Re Sources)
Shygirl – ‘Shlut’ (As a result of Music)
Sudan Archives – ‘Egocentric Soul’ (Stones Throw Data)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – ‘Spitting Off The Fringe of The World’ feat. Fragrance Genius (Secretly Canadian)
Yves Tumor – ‘Echolalia’ (Warp Data)
Finest Unbiased EP/ Mixtape
Bellah – ‘Adultsville’ (Base ‘N’ Rebulz X Marathon Music Group)
ENNY – ‘We Go Once more’ (FAMM)
Jessica Winter – ‘Limerance’ (Fortunate Quantity)
Saint Joshua – ‘EP2’(Ditto Music)
yunè pinku – ‘BABYLON IX’ (PLATOON)
Finest Unbiased Album
Avelino – God Save The Streets (Extra Music Data/ OddChild Music)
Kelela – Raven (Warp Data)
Little Simz – No Thank You (Perpetually Residing Originals)
Nova Twins – Supernova (Marshall Data)
Obongjayar – Some Nights I Dream of Doorways (September Recordings)
Oliver Sim – Hideous Bastard (Younger)
RAYE – My twenty first Century Blues (Human Re Sources)
Rina Sawayama – Maintain The Woman (Soiled Hit)
Shygirl – Nymph (As a result of Music)
Wu-Lu – LOGGERHEAD (Warp Data)
Finest Unbiased Remix
Sega Bodega Remix (One Little Unbiased) – Björk – ‘Ovuke (feat. Shygirl)’
Soulwax Remix (Deewee / As a result of Music) – Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul – ‘Cliche’
Nu:Tone Remix (Hospital Data) – GLXY – ‘Butterfly Impact (feat. Hugh Hardie & Visionobi)’
Jamie XX remix (Younger) – Oliver Sim – ‘GMT’
Boys Noize (Secretly Canadian) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs – ‘Wolf’
One To Watch (BBC Music Introducing)
Jessica Winter (Fortunate Quantity)
Juice Menace (Supernature)
FLOWEROVLOVE (FAE GRP)
Laughta (MDLBEAST)
Grasp Peace (PMR)
Finest Unbiased Video (Vevo)
Ezra Collective – ‘No Confusion ft. Kojey Radical’ (Partisan Data)
Kelela – ‘Sufficient For Love’ (Warp Data)
Obongjayar – ‘I Want It Was Me (Reside)’ (September Recordings)
RAYE, 070 Shake – ‘Escapism.’ (Human Re Sources)
Wesley Joseph – ‘MONSOON’ (EEVILTWINN)
