NICOLA SPOKES
Island EMI Label Group/ The Collective
How did EMI North grow in 2025? “EMI North have really put themselves on the map this year, both in terms of the labels they are supporting, such as Home Taping in Manchester, but also for the brilliant job the team – Scott Lewis, Tasha Pert and Jasmine Sidhu – did on the Doves’ Constellations For The Lonely campaign. With some rising stars across the EMI North labels, including Finn Forster on Interval, Girlband! on Soul Kitchen and Chiedu Oraka on Launchpad+, the team are making waves and creating opportunities for artists and labels across the North. There’s so much more to come!”
What was your 2025 highlight? “Doing the double at the Music Week Awards (below) and winning both the Record Company and A&R awards. I cannot express how thrilling that was for me, Louis [Bloom], Lucy [Dann] and the whole team. It had been a journey to get there and to see everyone’s relentless effort, passion and care for our artists and campaigns pay off – with not just commercial results but industry recognition – was emotional!”
What was your track of 2025? “Lola Young’s Messy. I’m not ashamed to say me and the team shed some tears watching Lola play it at Glastonbury with every single person in the tent singing their hearts out. An incredible moment.”
And your favourite album?
“Jacob Alon – In Limerence. I have returned to it throughout this year and every time I listen to it, I feel like I hear something new.”
SHAUNI Publishing
There has been lots of UK success this year, but what does the industry here need to do more of to help artists grow internationally? “The UK has made
MARTIN
TALBOT Official Charts Company
Amid competition from US superstars, how has UK talent impacted the charts this year?
“It has been a fantastic year for a wide range of brilliant British acts: Olivia Dean, Myles Smith, Sam Fender, Lola Young, Dave, Lily Allen, The K’s, Tom Grennan, Wolf Alice and more all making their mark. It is certainly tougher than ever for music of all kinds to achieve the profile it deserves in this era of great choice, but there is no shortage of UK talent.”
How have the charts proved their relevance in terms of artists’ cultural impact in 2025?
KOMALI SCOTT- JONES
AWAL/The Black Music Coalition
How did the industry get it right in 2025? “By allowing the benefits of true artist development to come to fruition. Despite the microwave climate of the past five years, great artists still need time to grow and find their voice and compete on the global stage in a way that only UK acts can.”
And what did it get wrong?
“Relinquishing even more power to tech companies by subscribing to this obsession over data and metrics with increasingly
46 | Music Week
less tangible return for many artists who are working hard to be heard. Using such limiting and skewed measures of success feels like such a disservice to considering the full picture of an artist’s true potential, artistry or impact.”
What was your track of 2025? “Promise by the absurdly talented DameDame is beautifully produced and performed with the perfect balance of joy and melancholy.”
And your favourite album? “Home? by Wretch 32. A seminal album in Wretch’s career, full of high-calibre musicianship, identity and a subject matter which feels super-poignant amongst the heavy events of this year. I have a new favourite track each time I listen!”
“The Official Charts provide the narrative for the music stories of every year and the impact that Taylor Swift, Oasis, Alex Warren, Chappell Roan, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, K-Pop Demon Hunters, Lily Allen and more had on the national conversation through 2025 has been fully reflected. Of course, there is more music for fans to consume than ever before, a fact which means hit repertoire – the Top 100 tracks, week-by- week – is only one part of the picture, accounting for just over 4% of all UK music consumption during the first half of 2025. That’s why specialist data, charts and our No.1 trophies are an increasingly important part of the cultural mix.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025? “Bloom Baby Bloom by Wolf Alice really cut through. [For album] Getting Killed by Brooklyn band Geese, a strange, angular but compellingly brilliant record.”
significant progress, but sustained growth requires a stronger commitment to international engagement. Ensuring a consistent presence across territories will expand strategic relationships, enable more structured collaborations, and support a more globally competitive UK ecosystem.”
What did you learn from the Nemzzz campaign this year? “I learned the power of authenticity and direct fan engagement. When an artist connects personally with their audience and stays true to their creative vision, it drives real growth and loyalty.”
What was your track of 2025?
“Folded by Kehlani. It captures all the essential elements of R&B and combines emotional honesty with smooth, expressive vocals and compelling production. At the same time, it is deeply relatable and immersive, making it a stand-out song of the year.”
And your favourite album?
“Olivia Dean’s The Art Of Loving. The album showcases her incredible vocal talent and songwriting ability across a range of moods and styles. Each track feels intimate and emotionally honest, creating a cohesive experience that really resonates.”
MAYKEL
CABALLERO Sony Music
PIRON Armada Music
Armada launched its new London office this year – how is the UK helping to drive growth? “The UK already stands as our second-largest streaming territory, and with the opening of our brand new London hub, we’re expanding our presence even further. This allows us to foster more music creation and provide
stronger support for both our local and international roster. We expect this to drive a significant increase in our overall output and play a major role in the company’s continued growth.”
You invest in dance catalogues through the Beat Music Fund. Has the power of electronic music’s heritage been overlooked compared to big rock catalogues?
“We’ve always recognised the value in electronic dance music because we have the deep knowledge and connection to the scene to understand where and how these catalogues work. There’s so much storytelling, history and versatility within this music – it just takes the right perspective to see its true power.”
What was your track of 2025?
“This Rhythm by Prospa feat. Rahh. It’s one of those tracks that gives you shivers on the dancefloor and makes you smile.”
And your favourite album?
“Armin Van Buuren’s Piano – his first-ever acoustic album, self-composed and performed entirely on the piano. I’ve had it on repeat since I first heard the songs back in March.”
musicweek.com
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