Stormzy & Rina Sawayama Win Big At AIM Awards 2022Legendary British musician Stormzy honoured as Diversity Champion / Rina Sawayama to receive Innovator Award in association with Amazon MusicFinal nominees revealed ahead of ceremony on 28 September / Ceremony tickets selling fastLive Show & After Party tickets on sale below with rising star Pixey completing the line upOFFICIAL PRESS RELEASENEWS PROVIDED BY AIM 21 September, London: Stormzy and Rina Sawayama will be recognised for their outstanding achievements and ground-breaking work at this yearâs Association of Independent Music (AIM) Awards. The final list of nominees are also unveiled ahead of the star-studded ceremony on 28 September at Londonâs Roundhouse, with rising star Pixey completing the line up of the live show. Iconic British musician and philanthropist Stormzy will be honoured as Diversity Champion for using his platform to level the playing field in the music industry and inspiring wider society through his charity #Merky Foundation and #Merky Books. Since its launch in 2018, the Stormzy Scholarship has provided financial support for 19 UK Black students to attend Cambridge University, helping to transform their University experience and positively change their lives. In 2017, the University admitted 58 Black British students to undergraduate degree courses. In 2020, this rose to 137, with the increase being coined âThe Stormzy Effectâ. #Merky Foundation, founded by the musician, is committed to fighting racial inequalities, justice reform, discrimination and more within the Black community. Stormzyâs launch of #Merky Books provides a home for underrepresented voices and a platform where their stories can be told, heard, and uplifted. His history with the Awards runs deep, as the South London icon won the Innovator Award in 2016 when he was self-releasing and the Independent Album of the Year for âGang Signs & Prayerâ and PPL Most Played New Independent Act in 2017. Through all of the above and more, Stormzy has used his platform as an artist to make a real and positive change to the lives of those in underrepresented communities and organisations, which is why AIM has honoured him with this yearâs âDiversity Championâ Award. Fresh from releasing a critically-acclaimed sophomore album, Dirty Hitâs pop icon Rina Sawayama is set to be honoured with this yearâs âInnovator Award in association with Amazon Musicâ. An accolade that recognises the bold visionaries who drive independent music, Rinaâs dexterity and creativity in the recording studio cements her as more than a worthy candidate for the prize. Since the release of her genre-defying debut âSAWAYAMAâ, which spanned the lengths of nu-metal, â00s R&B, country and all out pop, her seismic musical shifts translate to the energy of her emphatic live shows. Renowned for state-of-the-art visuals, Rinaâs work with video director Ali Kaur has consistently raised the bar for high production music videos. Most recently, she turned heads with the title track on her new âHold The Girlâ album, portraying the trappings of a time loop within the bounds of a 19th century farmhouse. Asides from music, Rina is also becoming a figurehead in the fashion world, modelling for the likes of Versace and Balmain with her striking aesthetic taking her to the catwalk at this yearâs Paris Fashion Week. As the final list of nominees are revealed for the 2022 AIM Awards, five hopefuls are up for the title of âBest Independent Video in association with VEVOâ. The impressive array of nominees include Arlo Parksâ âSoftlyâ, Ibeyiâs âMade of Gold ft. Pa Salieuâ, â3210â by Jeshi, Wesley Josephâs âCold Summerâ and FKA Twigsâ âtears in the club ft. The Weekndâ. Following a heated battle between fans in the public vote, in which over 29,000 had their say, the âBest Live Performerâ shortlist has been whittled down to its final few names, with Ben Böhmer, IDLES, Mitski, Shao Dow and The Hu in the running for the coveted trophy. With excitement reaching fever pitch for the biggest night in the independent music communityâs calendar, the Awards will be hosted by BBC Radio 1Xtraâs DJ Target and TV host and presenter Joelah Noble. The show will also include dazzling performances from indie rock darlings The Libertines and grime-icon Lethal Bizzle, whoâs taking home the trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Music in association with Merlin. Liverpool rising star Pixey is the third and final performer to be announced for what is set to be an unforgettable evening for the independent music community. Ceremony tickets (individual and tables) are now available: https:// Public Live Show & After Party tickets are currently on sale: https:// See below for newly announced winners & nominees Diversity Champion Innovator in association with Amazon Music Best Live Performer Best Independent Video in association with VEVO Previously announced nominees UK Independent Breakthrough in association with YouTube Music International Breakthrough in association with Deezer Best Independent Track in association with Meta Best Independent EP/Mixtape Best Independent Album in association with Spotify Best [Difficult] Second Album in association with BBC6 Music Best Independent Remix One To Watch in association with BBC Introducing Music Entrepreneur Of The Year Best Independent Label Best Boutique Label PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist Best Creative Campaign in association with Able
Source AIM
September 21, 2022 4:00am ET by Pressparty |