RCA game: RCA stars Myles Smith and Jade (inset) won Rising Star and Best Pop Act at the BRITs respectively
GLYN AIKINS RCA/Since ’93
Myles Smith had a huge year. What are your plans for him in 2026 and how will you keep his incredible run going? “Myles’ rise in 2025 has been one of the defining artist stories of the year – a testament to his songwriting, work ethic and the global strategy behind him. The focus for 2026 is on sustained growth and creative evolution. The new music he is recording will expand his sonic identity while deepening his emotional connection with audiences. On a global level, we’ll be consolidating his US success, building across Europe, Asia and Australia, and extending his live footprint. Myles represents the strength of the new generation of British global talent, and our goal is to ensure his trajectory continues to set new benchmarks for longevity and cultural impact.”
What did the industry learn about domestic breakthroughs in 2025? “This year underlined that meaningful artist breakthroughs still come from long-term vision and investment. The most successful domestic acts were those nurtured over time – artists with a clear creative identity and a strong sense of purpose. The industry is rediscovering the value of patience and conviction: backing artists beyond the initial viral moment and focusing on sustainable careers built on authenticity, world-class music and consistent execution.”
NIKITA KANDA BBC Asian Network
What was your track of 2025 and why?
“Sapphire by Ed Sheeran, featuring Arijit Singh. Sapphire deserves to be the song of the year because it beautifully blends pop with Asian sounds, and hearing Ed pour himself into the culture and be able to sing in Punjabi was so nice. It resonated globally and opened up new music possibilities. It shows that music has no barriers or boundaries, especially with language, and everyone from all backgrounds can enjoy this one!”
And your favourite album? “Karan Aujla and Ikky’s P-Pop Culture. Artists like Karan are constantly evolving and this record was more than just songs; it represents a movement and our cultural identity. I like how they’ve taken influences from different genres like pop and hip-hop, but also bhangra artists from the UK, and fused it all together. It’s very cleverly thought out. This album proves that Punjabi music can’t be put in a box or stereotyped.”
STEVE HOMER AEG Presents UK
Are things easier for touring acts than at the start of the year? “A significant number of tours have been on sale for a long time in 2025, which gives the best chance of success for artists and promoters. It certainly helps the industry.”
Who was the live sector’s unsung hero?
“Jon Collins has done a lot to move the LIVE Trust along; now with the trustees in place it will start to deliver.”
What was your favourite track and album of the year?
“My track is My Kinda Saturday Night by Luke Combs. Country rock’n’roll – what’s not to like? And my favourite album is Wolf Alice’s The Clearing, which took a total step up from their previous records. I love it.”
36 | Music Week
LAURA LUKANZ Amazon Music
What was your proudest moment of 2025? “Being recognised at the Music Week Women In Music Awards was incredibly humbling, but what truly made 2025 special was seeing the daily passion, graft and impact of our team’s dedication to British music. Whether it’s spotting and nurturing emerging talent through curation, creating new programmes for established artists to connect with fans in new ways, or helping breakthrough acts reach
What was your track of 2025 and why? “Raye’s Where Is My Husband! had pure pop energy with immediate cultural resonance. One record and suddenly everyone has an opinion. There were memes, TikToks, tabloid headlines and fan debate, all at the same time. A reminder that a song – a single – can still own the conversation on its own terms.”
And your favourite album? “Little Simz’s Lotus. Her voice carries a different gravity. Simz is writing from the centre of her lived experience and the culture is hanging on every line. Serious craft, serious discourse.”
wider audiences, our love for music drives everything we do.”
So, how did Amazon find new ways to help artists this year? “This year, we really wanted to push boundaries and create even more opportunities for artists to connect with fans. We launched an exciting new format called Songline in the UK, capturing intimate live sessions and interviews with artists like Little Simz and Ed Sheeran, alongside some brilliant exclusive livestreams. In partnership with Metropolis Studios, we launched The Breakthrough Lab in London, a world-class recording space that gives emerging talent access to facilities that can really help them level up. We hosted our first songwriting camp with Concord Music Publishing and we invited this year’s Artists To Watch, Good Neighbours and Luvcat, to record versions of classic British Songs as Amazon Originals.”
What was your track of 2025?
“A few favourites are Luvcat’s Blushing, Fred Again.. and Skepta’s Victory Lap, Little Simz’s Free and CMAT’s When A Good Man Cries.”
And your favourite album?
“Dave’s The Boy Who Played The Harp. It felt like a long wait, but it was worth it! It’s such a brave, honest, soul-searching body of work.”
musicweek.com
PHOTOS: JM Enternational, Dave Benett, Getty, Carsten Windhorst & Gerard Hynes, Joe Magowan
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