The 2022 award show marked the twenty-third event held by the Association of Independent Music (AIM); AIM’s site provides the organisation’s mission statement; “AIM is the not-for-profit trade body exclusively representing the UK’s independent music sector, which makes up a quarter of the recorded music market. Now in its 20th year, AIM’s members range from the largest, most respected record labels and associated music businesses in the world to self-releasing artists and the next generation of entrepreneurs in music. AIM promotes and supports this exciting and diverse sector globally and provides a range of services, commercial opportunities and practical help to members, enabling them to innovate, grow and break into new markets.”

Talking about this year’s ceremony, AIM CEO Paul Pacifo stated, “Tonight is about us as a community celebrating the incredible successes of the world-beating U.K. independent music sector. It is a hugely competitive market out there, but we understand that we are stronger together and a win for one of us is a win for all of us.”

Such a beautiful album. Well done to @cleosol! @4livingoriginal pic.twitter.com/IfZ1wMH1hQ

— AIM (@AIM_UK) September 28, 2022

Consisting of twenty-one award categories, the annual ceremony saw some of the UK’s most prominent figures and labels within the independent music industry battle it out for the prestigious accolades. The first category, Best Independent album, was awarded to singer-songwriter Cleo Sol for her album Mother, also included within the nominees was chart favourite Dave, for his release We’re All Alone In This Together. The British rapper was also nominated for Best Independent Track for the single “Starlight“; the gong was bestowed to Nova Twins for their track “Antagonist”. The rock duo were also nominated for the coveted U.K. Independent breakthrough gong; fellow chart darling Wet Leg took home the award. Speaking via a video link, the group stated, “Thanks so much for the breakthrough award. It’s been a really wild year for us and we just want to take this opportunity to thank our team and all the other members of our new-found family. As a great man once said, ‘To infinity and beyond!‘”

An incredible headline set from @libertines #AIMAwards2022 @RoughTradeRecs pic.twitter.com/kj4qUOkcQQ

— AIM (@AIM_UK) September 28, 2022

.@LethalBizzle smashed it! pic.twitter.com/GCFd9B71HR

— AIM (@AIM_UK) September 28, 2022

Along with the winning announcements, the event became a massive hit for its headliner act, Indie legends The Libertines performed at the ceremony. Also billed to appear as a special guest was British icon Lethal Bizzle; during the award show the London-born artist was awarded the Outstanding Contribution gong to honour his contribution to the arts and to celebrate his two-decade-long career. Speaking to BANG Showbiz, the artist said, “It feels great, you know, I’m 20 plus years in and when you get to this stage in your career sometimes things can be forgotten. I feel like it’s a nice acknowledgement and it’s a proud moment for my hard work to be recognised like this.”

The 40-year-old Grime star’s performance marked his first live appearance since the pandemic; within his statement, Lethal Bizzle continued to discuss his touring plans, “This year I dropped my new project, a celebratory 20th anniversary project called ‘Lethal B vs Lethal Bizzle’ which is out now and I’m still working on that right now. And next year, I’m hoping to get back on the road. I’m actually performing tonight, it’s gonna be my first show since the pandemic so, you know, I’m gonna be a bit rusty but it’s gonna be fun.“

The show has been produced by Fremantle label, Naked and distributed by A+E networks. Speaking on the release of the new series, BBC Commissioning Editor Patrick McMahon says: “I’m thrilled to welcome Krept, Konan and DJ Target back for a new series of the Rap Game UK. With epic new challenges, gripping new format twists, and some of the most talented artists we’ve ever had competing for that crown, this year’s contest looks set to be the biggest, best and toughest yet.” Naked Creative Director Tom O’Brien added, “It’s great to be bringing The Rap Game back again. With new showrunners (Trent Williams Jones and Steve Earley), a new cast and new even higher stakes, Naked can’t wait to see who will be the new winner.” 

In 2021, The Rap Game UK was most nominated for two Broadcast Digital Awards, being the Best Entertainment Programme and Best Popular Factual Programme. That year it was also nominated in the Formatted Popular Factual category in the 2021 RTS Programme Awards. The show was also nominated for a BAFTA Award back in 2020.

This years up and comings MCs taking part include, T Big Jest and JClarke, P3Lz, Mayo, Mwangi and Zoellz. The six contestants have travelled to Manchester to compete in a series of challenges aimed at showcasing their individual musical, lyrical and performance abilities. The six MCs will undertake challenges across the series whilst being guest mentored by some of the biggest names in the UK scene – and this year this includes Unknown T, Shaybo, BackRoad Gee, Leomie Anderson, D-Block Europe, Lethal Bizzle, Jaykae, and more.  The winner will gain a £20,000 cash prize, as well as a mentorship scheme to help them create and launch their own music after the contest ends.

A teaser for the opening episode of the new series that came out last Thursday shares, “DJ Target and Krept & Konan return to Manchester to search for the next big rap star. Six aspiring rappers discover that winning this series will be tougher than ever, with a twist revealed that none of them expect. Their opening challenge sees some artists make a bigger impression than others.”

You can watch the show live on BBC Three at 9pm every Thursday. You can also watch the new series online via BBC iPlayer, where the past three series are also available to stream.

Since making waves with Pa Salieu on the hit track ‘My Family’, has released many singles and has been featured on many more, with a total of 17 tracks he has been involved with up until the recent album singles. These tracks include a Daily Duppy, a feature on Ghetts’ acclaimed Conflict of Interest, alongside Salieu of course, and hit single ‘A Yo’ featuring TizzTrap and BG. Watch the ‘A Yo’ video below:

His style swings freely from drill to road rap to Afrobeats, and will happily blend genres in a manner unforced. ‘A Yo’, for example, released earlier this year and now features on the recent release, has Afrobeats vibes chopped into a drill beat. ‘Dark Place’ has a similar vibe, with floaty instrumentation over an aggressive drill format. It is perhaps this liberating blend of popular genres that has made him so popular across multiple audiences.

On the project, BackRoad Gee says: “After almost two years of hard work, blood, sweat & tears (literally), I can say I’ve had some of the craziest life changes which makes this mixtape mean so much to me. If you know me personally, this music and energy I give you is me from my heart. It’s not a job I go to or an identity I put on. Every word, every punchline, every ad-lib, I feel through the energy and the music is real, not a fairytale. This is I, King Brukz, Reporting Live From The Back of The Roads!”, as per Clash.

The sound of this project goes in a different direction from his previous EP, Mukta vs Mukta, which was much more drill oriented. While his new project contains a few drill tracks here and there, it is an Afrobeats-heavy project, giving us the party vibes going into the winter.

Listen to the new album below: