The Association for Independent Music (AIM) hosted its annual Independent Music Awards last night (September 23rd).
The annual celebration of all things independent returned to the Roundhouse in North London, opening with a very special performance from Naima Bock. A preview of her incoming album, she was joined on the night by fellow performers 2-Tone legends The Selector and sharp-suited soul dynamo Jalen Ngonda.
The winners ranged from big names to humble bastions of the independent music community. Jorja Smith picked up Best Independent Track, and DNB heroes Fabio & Grooverider won the Innovator Award.
Robyn is currently on tour in the United States, but she recorded a touching video message to toast her ‘Sexistenial’ winning Best Independent Album.
Jalen Ngonda took home Independent Breakthrough, while Sherelle’s take on Romy’s ‘Love Who You Love’ won Best Independent Remix.
A rousing celebration of musical independence across the country, Mark Lippmann (Scruff Of The Neck) won Music Entrepreneur of the Year, while Liverpool’s Jacaranda Records won Best Independent Record Store.
Find the full list of winners below:
Outstanding Contribution to Music – in association with Merlin
Pauline Black
Innovator Award
Fabio & Grooverider
Best Independent Track – in association with Meta
Jorja Smith – The Way I Love You
Best Independent Album – in association with Spotify
Robyn – Sexistential (Young / Konichiwa)
Independent Breakthrough – in association with Amazon Music
Jalen Ngonda (Daptone Records)
Best Independent Mixtape/EP – in association with Notion
Jim Legxacy – Black British Music (2025) (XL Recordings)
Best Independent Remix
Love Who You Love (Sherelle’s Intelligent Dyke Music Remix) – Sherelle, Romy (Young)
One To Watch – in association with BBC Music Introducing
Native James (Sharptone Records/ Saviour Music)
Best Independent Video
Léa Esmaili (director) for Thundercat – She Knows Too Much feat. Mac Miller (Brainfeeder/ Ninja Tune)
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist – in association with PPL
Bees & Honey
Best Live Performer
Billy Lockett (Lockett Records)
Best Independent Label – in association with IDOL / Labelcamp
Because Music
Best Boutique Label – in association with Qobuz
Untitled (Recs)
Independent Music Champion – in association with PRS for Music
Qobuz
Best Catalogue Release
Cooking Vinyl for The Alan Parsons Project – I Robot
Best Release Campaign – in association with Hey! What?
Ninja Tune + Fcukers – Ö
Music Entrepreneur of the Year
Mark Lippmann (Scruff Of The Neck)
Best Independent Record Store
Jacaranda Records (Liverpool)
DEI Champion
Cre8ing Vision
