Jorja Smith and Robyn were among the major winners at the 2026 Independent Music Awards, held Tuesday, Sept. 22, at London’s Roundhouse. The ceremony, presented by the Association for Independent Music, brought together artists, labels and music-industry figures from across the independent sector.
Smith won Best Independent Track for “The Way I Love You,” released through her FAMM label. The song, which reached No. 39 on the U.K. Official Singles Chart, gave Smith her second Independent Music Awards win after she previously received the Independent Breakthrough award in 2018.
Robyn took home Best Independent Album for her ninth studio album, Sexistential, released through Young and Konichiwa. The album marked her first full-length release in eight years and had also earned nominations for Best Independent Track and Best Independent Album before the ceremony.
Jalen Ngonda received the Independent Breakthrough award, while Jim Legxacy won Best Independent Mixtape/EP for black british music (2025). The project was also nominated for the Mercury Prize and was released through XL Recordings.
In the Best Independent Remix category, Sherelle and Romy won for “Love Who You Love (SHERELLE’s Intelligent Dyke Music Remix).” Other nominees included remixes involving Robyn and Jorja Smith, with Robyn’s “Sexistential (Arca’s Take)” and Smith’s “The Way I Love You (TS7 Remix)” among the shortlisted releases.
Native James won One To Watch, while Léa Esmaili received Best Independent Video for directing Thundercat’s “She Knows Too Much” featuring Mac Miller. The PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist went to bees & honey.
Billy Lockett won Best Live Performer, Because Music was named Best Independent Label, and untitled (recs) took Best Boutique Label. The Alan Parsons Project’s I Robot won Best Catalogue Release, while Fcukers won Best Release Campaign for Ö.
Jacaranda Records was named Best Independent Record Store. Fabio & Grooverider received the Innovator Award, Pauline Black received the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, Mark Lippmann of Scruff Of The Neck was named Music Entrepreneur of the Year, and Cre8ing Vision received the DEI Champion award.
The ceremony followed months of nominations across categories covering independent tracks, albums, breakthrough artists, EPs and mixtapes, remixes, live performance, labels, catalogue releases and other areas of the independent music business. Fcukers entered the awards as one of the leading nominees with three nominations, while Robyn, Smith and several other artists received multiple nominations.
