DELLESSA
JAMES Amazon Music
How did Black music change most in 2025?
“The landscape has seen a seismic shift, but the biggest change is the rise of UK R&B, which has finally claimed its rightful place on the global stage, thanks to artists like KWN, Jordan Adetunji, Odeal, Saint Harison, Jorja Smith, Sasha Keable, Sekou, Craig David and FLO, who landed their first Grammy nod.”
What was your favourite track of 2025? “There were so many great songs this year, but my favourite is Drake’s Nokia. The track perfectly encapsulates his signature style while feeling remarkably fresh.”
And your favourite album? “Central Cee, Craig David, Sasha Keable and Dave all offered something distinctly different, perfect for my various listening moods and moments.”
SAM
BRIONY TURNER Atlantic
What was your highlight of this year?
SPENCER Atlantic
Charli XCX was huge in 2025, from the BRITs to
Glastonbury. How do you sum it up? “It was certainly a year where Brat lived on. With five BRITs, three Grammys and the most talked about performance of the weekend at Glastonbury, Charli has brilliantly played with the tension of, ‘How much Brat is too much Brat?’ this year. It all culminates with the drop of her movie The Moment in January, which promises to be a must-see for any Charli fans.”
What was your track of the year? “Fred Again..’s Victory Lap with Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax. Watching it come to life in New York, from Twitch stream to the club, felt like a real moment.”
And your favourite album? “Olivia Dean’s The Art Of Loving.”
NUR
ED HOWARD Atlantic
ÖZDAMAR YouTube Music
What was the hardest challenge of 2025?
“The mandate for every artist to effectively become a high-volume creator. It’s not enough to release a great album; the real test is the creative consistency needed to succeed, and the challenge is elevating the bar without sacrificing the authenticity that makes the music powerful in the first place.”
What was your favourite track of 2025? “Justin Bieber’s Yukon. As a long-time Bieber fan, it gives me a lot of joy. I love the video.”
And your favourite album?
“Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos. It’s a beautiful homecoming album.”
40 | Music Week
How do you reflect on Ed Sheeran’s Play campaign? “It’s been fascinating to see the effect of new music on the catalogue across the world with Ed going back into the Top 5 most listened artists globally on Spotify and the Tour Collection not leaving the Top 10 in the UK for most of the year. Play drove a huge part of that, while itself performing really well globally and helping break new ground for Ed, in particular in India where Sapphire is by far the biggest international record of the year.”
Did you learn anything new about Ed from this campaign? “I already knew about his deep care for young people and for music and music education (pictured), but it was amazing to watch him express this in so many beautiful ways through his Foundation this year.”
What was your track of 2025?
“I Care by Turnstile. I love the energy from the first note; it channels my favourite classic bands but sounds super fresh. Best consumed live.”
And your favourite album?
“Lux by Rosalía. Effortlessly shifting the centre of cultural gravity, I didn’t know how much I needed this album.”
musicweek.com
“With Atlantic winning Promotions Team Of The Year at the Music Week Awards for a 17th time, it was fantastic to see our wonderful Mel Rudder given her flowers live on stage by Damian Christian [MD and president of promotions]. Mel was not only a dear friend to many, but an important and passionate cultural figurehead in British music. She is gone far too soon, but I know we will feel her presence and her incredibly positive impact for years and years to come. I feel enormously privileged to have worked with her for many years and grateful that I will always hear her voice in the back of my head.”
What was your track of 2025?
“It has to be Silver Spoon and Marble Arch on Erin LeCount’s I Am Digital, I Am Divine EP. Silver Spoon started to make waves online and both songs are incredible moments in her live set. I’ve been lucky enough to spend time with and around Erin, and you can really see how she manages to connect with people with her deep artistry and warm demeanour.”
And your favourite album?
“Lux. I love how Rosalía manages to blend the worlds of alt-pop and classical, creating something totally unique, while also pushing the limits of what’s possible for both genres.”
Where it’s Atlantic: Ed Sheeran and Charli XCX (above) helped define Atlantic’s year
PHOTOS: Rachel Billings, Paul Harries,
P.Renner, C. Windhorst, G. Hynes, John Marshall
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