The Association for Independent Music (AIM) hosted its annual 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 . A preview of her incoming album, she was joined on the night by fellow performers 2-Tone legends and sharp-suited soul dynamo .

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 .

Find the full list of winners below:

Outstanding Contribution to Music – in association with Merlin
Pauline Black

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)  

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) 

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 

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 

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)