Grime collective and independent London label Boy Better Know (BBK) will receive the AIM Inspiration Award 2017.
BBK was originally formed back in 2005 by brothers Jamie and Joseph Adenuga on a North London housing Estate. They have since gone on to helm one of the most important and influential collectives in the UK and have tasted international success as artists JME and Skepta respectively.
Along the way they’ve also worked with the likes of Wiley, Jammer, Frisco, Shorty and Maximum, and spawned their own clothing lines and viral videos.
Alex Hoffman, head of music at Vice and AIM Awards judge, said: ‘What BBK have built entirely on their own will probably never be replicated in the UK music.
‘Like so many young people trying to somehow make a viable career out of music, when the members of BBK came together, the completely independent route was the only one on the table.
‘Then the offers came flooding in but none of them saw a reason to change the set-up. They simply saw what they’d achieved on their own terms up to that point and had the confidence to keep building their empire independently. Their influence on the next generation of UK artists goes so much further than their musical output and goes so much further than grime.’
Mistajam, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra DJ, said: ‘There’s no doubt that Grime wouldn’t be the phenomenon it is in 2017 if it wasn’t for the work put in by the Boy Better Know collective.
‘From the days of pirate radio, white labels and mixtapes to the current day Glastonbury Other Stage headline set, O2 takeovers, and international acclaim; BBK have proven why remaining consistent and keeping your integrity always pays off, inspiring a generation in the process.’
Previous winners of the Innovator award have included Stormzy (2016), Peter Quicke Matt Black and Jon More, Ninja Tune (2015) and Steve Goodman aka Kode9, Hyperdub Records (2014).
The AIM Awards 2017 takes place on 5 September at The Brewery, London. For more info, see http://www.musicindie.com/awards/
Watch our video interviews with JME and Skepta.
BBK was originally formed back in 2005 by brothers Jamie and Joseph Adenuga on a North London housing Estate. They have since gone on to helm one of the most important and influential collectives in the UK and have tasted international success as artists JME and Skepta respectively.
Along the way they’ve also worked with the likes of Wiley, Jammer, Frisco, Shorty and Maximum, and spawned their own clothing lines and viral videos.
Alex Hoffman, head of music at Vice and AIM Awards judge, said: ‘What BBK have built entirely on their own will probably never be replicated in the UK music.
‘Like so many young people trying to somehow make a viable career out of music, when the members of BBK came together, the completely independent route was the only one on the table.
‘Then the offers came flooding in but none of them saw a reason to change the set-up. They simply saw what they’d achieved on their own terms up to that point and had the confidence to keep building their empire independently. Their influence on the next generation of UK artists goes so much further than their musical output and goes so much further than grime.’
Mistajam, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra DJ, said: ‘There’s no doubt that Grime wouldn’t be the phenomenon it is in 2017 if it wasn’t for the work put in by the Boy Better Know collective.
‘From the days of pirate radio, white labels and mixtapes to the current day Glastonbury Other Stage headline set, O2 takeovers, and international acclaim; BBK have proven why remaining consistent and keeping your integrity always pays off, inspiring a generation in the process.’
Previous winners of the Innovator award have included Stormzy (2016), Peter Quicke Matt Black and Jon More, Ninja Tune (2015) and Steve Goodman aka Kode9, Hyperdub Records (2014).
The AIM Awards 2017 takes place on 5 September at The Brewery, London. For more info, see http://www.musicindie.com/awards/
Watch our video interviews with JME and Skepta.
