Returning to London’s iconic Roundhouse, these tastemaker awards see a broad list of nominees from various UK regions, nations, genres and music communities, showcasing the reach and success of independently-released music. From Glastonbury headliners Fontaines D.C. to pop/R&B singer-songwriter Jorja Smith, the innovative rap of enigmatic MC CASISDEAD, Scottish electronic artist Barry Can’t Swim and the inimitable voice of Sampha.
The ’Best Independent Album’ Award category contenders include Jorja Smith’s ‘falling or flying’ (FAMM) and Barry Can’t Swim’s ‘When Will We Land?’ (Ninja Tune), alongside D-Block Europe’s ‘Rolling Stone’ (D-Block Europe/EGA Distro), Kim Gordon’s ‘The Collective’ (Matador), Actress’ acclaimed ‘LXXXVIII’ (Ninja Tune), and jazz nine-piece Nubiyan Twist’s ‘Find Your Flame’ (Strut Records / !K7 Music). Topping off the category’s formidable shortlist are electronic duo Mount Kimbie with ‘The Sunset Violent’ (Warp Records), the spellbinding ANOHNI and The Johnsons’ ‘My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross’ (Rough Trade Records) and rapper Skrapz’s ‘Reflection’ (EGA Distro).
CASISDEAD’s ‘Venom’ is in the running for ‘Best Independent Track’ (in association with Meta), along with Fontaines D.C.’s ‘Starburster’ and winners of the 2023 Mercury Prize Ezra Collective with ‘Ajala’. Also up for this category are KNEECAP’s ‘Better Way To Live’ feat. Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten, Hudson Mohawke & Nikki Nair’s old-guard-new-star collaboration ‘Set The Roof’, and Sampha’s euphoric single ‘Spirit 2.0’, while Jorja Smith sweeps across another category with club hit ‘Little Things’. Experimental turntablist and producer NikNak’s ‘1200RPM’, Mancunian spiritual jazz artist Matthew Halsall’s ‘An Ever Changing View’, and singer/composer Amy Gadiaga’s ‘All Black Everything’ complete the shortlist.
2024’s ‘UK Independent Breakthrough’ shortlist (in association with Amazon Music) includes recognition of BRITs winner CASISDEAD, a long-awaited spotlight moment for Barry Can’t Swim, the groundswell around Bar Italia and Saint Harison, and the sudden rise of Cornwall’s Wunderhorse. All five nominees will also receive complimentary access to studio time at The Breakthrough Lab, the Amazon Music songwriting and production suite at London’s Metropolis Studios, courtesy of the streaming service.
BBC Music Introducing continues its collaboration with AIM on the ‘One To Watch’ category. This year’s nominees see two Manchester artists in the running, spoken word artist Antony Szmierek and drum & bass MC OneDa. Also nominated are DJ Kitty Amor, masked electro-punk producer Lynks and vocalist/producer Miso Extra. Previous winners include this year’s Mercury nominee Nia Archives, and Arlo Parks, who has since scooped trophies at the BRITs and Mercurys, showing the Independent Music Awards’ consistent early recognition of future stars.
‘Best Independent EP/Mixtape’ sees nominations for South London singer JGrrey’s ‘If Not Now?’ (PACE / Marathon Music Group) and K-Trap and Headie One’s collaborative project ‘‘STRENGTH TO STRENGTH’ (One Records and Thousand8)’, soul artist George Riley’s ‘Un/limited Love’ (Ninja Tune), Leeds-based collective HONESTY’s ‘BOX’ (Partisan Records), and candid lyricist and rapper Potter Payper’s ‘Thanks For Hating’ (EGA Distro).
The ‘Best Independent Remix’ category returns, with nominations going to Egyptian Lover’s remix of Sudan Archives’ ‘Freakalizer’, Joy Anonymous’ remix of Ezra Collective track ‘JOY (Life Goes On)’ feat. Sampa The Great, L BEATS mashup of Jorja Smith’s ‘Little Things’ and Crystal Waters’ club classic ‘Gypsy Woman’. P-rallel’s remix of Aluna and Jayda G’s ‘Mine O’ Mine’ is also in the running, as well as Olof Dreijer’s take on Björk and Rosalía track ‘Oral’.
This year’s ‘Best Independent Video’ category (in association with Vevo) sees Sampha receive another nomination for his single ‘Only’ feat. Georgia, alongside last year’s ‘One To Watch’ nominee Master Peace with ‘I Might Be Fake’. These are joined by Mitski for ‘My Love Mine All Mine’, Gia Ford’s ‘Poolside’ and Khruangbin’s ‘A Love International’.
The 2024 nominee list also sees a big year for Ninja Tune, with four releases included, from Actress and Barry Can’t Swim to Nabihah Iqbal and George Riley. The nominations also include three entries each for artist services business EGA Distro, and labels XL Recordings and Heavenly Recordings.
Gee Davy, interim CEO at AIM, commented: “We hope you are as excited as we are by this first list of nominees for 2024’s Independent Music Awards. Each year, our panel of tastemaker judges across favourite radio, press and online titles return a great list. This year spans the regions and nations, genres and communities of the UK’s independent music scene, recognising success, talent and artistry. We are delighted that the BBC, Amazon, Meta and Vevo, alongside our other sponsors and partners continue to support and champion the Awards, which enables us to continue to shine a light on the ever-growing independent music sector.”
Ruth Barlow, Chair of AIM commented: “Congratulations to the first of this year’s AIM Award nominees, these lists provide a great glimpse into the length and breadth of the UK’s independent sector and highlight a handful of the innovators, culture makers and commercial successes AIM’s outstanding community has to offer.”
The award for ‘Best Live Performer’ will once again be decided by music fans worldwide, with a public vote now open here.
Nominations for the remaining categories, including ‘Best Boutique Label’ and ‘Independent Champion’, will be announced in the coming months.
Details of live performances set to take place throughout the ceremony will also soon be revealed, along with further details of the Awards’ partnership with the BBC.
