Björk, Avelino and Ezra Collective won key trophies at the AIM Awards last night (September 26th).
The AIM – Association Of Independent Music – Awards is a platform for the celebration of independent music, with the glitzy ceremony returning to London’s Roundhouse for a special evening.
Eclectic as ever, the final list of winners moves from experimental pop music through to jazz via the best in UK rap and hip-hop, affording space for individual voices.
North London legend Avelino won Best Independent Album, scooping the gong for his debut ‘God Save The Streets’. He told the assembled crowd:
“This is far deeper than thousands of sales, it’s about thousands of lives at stake on the streets of London and up and down the UK… To all the children in the trenches and to all my brothers and sisters out there trying to get through this madness, I hope you realise that rock bottom is only the stepping stone onto bigger and better things. God bless everyone and God save the streets.”
Elsewhere, the wonderful RAYE scooped Best Independent Track with viral hit ‘Escapism’, Shygirl was named UK Independent Breakthrough, and Ezra Collective followed their Mercury win by picking up the trophy for Best Creative Campaign.
Soulwax/2ManyDJs scooped Outstanding Contribution To Music, while Icelandic creative icon Björk was named Best Live Performer. Björk said, “I’m incredibly honoured and grateful to have been chosen by the fans as the best live performer. I have been singing at concerts since I was a child and the audience’s presence merging with mine has given me many of the most rewarding moments of my life… Shout out to One Little Independent and shout out to independent labels. Come on, we got this!”
Find the full list of winners HERE.
