Jorja Smith & Robyn Triumph at 2026 Independent Music Awards: Full Winners List

Trending on Billboard Jorja Smith, Robyn and Fcukers were among the winners at the 2026 Independent Music Awards in London on Tuesday (Sept. 22). The annual awards, hosted by the The Association for Independent Music, celebrates the U.K.’s indie music scene, with winners drawn from a genre-spanning shortlist. The ceremony took place at The Roundhouse in north London. Smith collected the best independent track prize for “The Way I Love You,” released in May 2025 on her FAMM label, which peaked at No. 39 on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart. The prize is her second overall at the Independent Music Awards, having first collected the independent breakthrough trophy in 2018. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Robyn earned the best independent album for her ninth album Sexistential (released via Young), while Daptone-signed soul star Jalen Ngonda, who was nominated in three categories, earned the independent breakthrough prize. Jim Legxacy emerged victorious in the best independent mixtape/EP category for his Mercury Prize-nominated mixtape Black British Music (2025), released via XL Recordings. The PPL Award for most played new independent artist went to Bees & Honey, while Native James collected the one to watch prize. Pauline Black, the lead singer of 2 tone group The Selector, received the outstanding contribution to music award and performed live on the night. DJ duo Fabio & Grooverider was awarded the innovator award in recognition of their work in the U.K.’s jungle and drum ‘n’ bass scenes over the years. See the full list of winners at the 2026 Independent Music Awards below. Best independent track Debby Friday, “Bet on Me” (Sub Pop Records)Fcukers, “L.U.C.K.Y” (Ninja Tune)Genesis Owusu, “Stampede” (Ourness)Jalen Ngonda, “Doctrine of Love” (Daptone Records)Jim Legxacy, “3x” (XL Recordings)WINNER: Jorja Smith, “The Way I Love You” (FAMM)Nova Twins, “Piranha” (Marshall Records)Robyn, “Dopamine” (Young / Konichiwa)Romy, “Love Who You Love” (Young)Tiana Major9, “Desire” (+1 Records) Best independent album Bicep, TAKKUUK (Original Soundtrack) (Ninja Tune, EarthSonic)Blawan, SickElixir (XL Recordings)Fcukers, Ö (Ninja Tune)Geese, Getting Killed (Partisan Records)Mitski, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me (Dead Oceans)Nova Twins, Parasites & Butterflies (Marshall Records)Prostitute, Attempted Martyr (Mute)WINNER: Robyn, Sexistential (Young / Konichiwa)Scaler, Endlessly (Black Acre)Thundercat, Distracted (Brainfeeder) Independent breakthrough Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)Fcukers (Ninja Tune)WINNER: Jalen Ngonda (Daptone Records)Tiana Major9 (+1 Records)Ego Ella May (Believe UK) Best independent mixtape/EP Bricknasty, Blacks Law (FAMM)WINNER: Jim Legxacy, black british music (2025) (XL Recordings)Naima Bock, Live in Toulon (Sub Pop Records)Strandz, Diaspora Dance Music (Strandz Music)TTSSFU, Blown (Partisan Records) Best independent remix Overmono, “If We Ever” (High Contrast Remix) (XL Recordings)WINNER: Sherelle, Romy, “Love Who You Love”(SHERELLE’s Intelligent Dyke Music Remix) (Young)Robyn, “Sexistential” (Arca’s Take) (Young / Konichiwa)Jorja Smith, TS7, “The Way I Love You” (TS7 Remix) (FAMM)House Gospel Choir and Donae’O, “You” (Donae’O Remix) (Swear Down Music) One to Watch Ashaine White (Marshall Records)Alewya (LDN Records)Lauren Auder (untitled (recs))Mandy, Indiana (Sacred Bones Records)WINNER: Native James (Saviour Music) Best independent video Zak Watson (director) for Antony Szmierek, “The Heron” (Mushroom Music)Yorgos Lanthimos (director) for Jerskin Fendrix, “Beth’s Farm” (untitled (recs))Noel Paul (director) for Mitski, “Where’s My Phone?” (Dead Oceans)WINNER: Léa Esmaili (director) for Thundercat, “She Knows Too Much” feat. Mac Miller (Brainfeeder)OCURENS (director) for Tinie Tempah, Skepsis, Carla Monroe, “Eat It Up” (Imhotep Records) PPL Award for most played new independent artist WINNER: bees & honeyBeyond ChicagoClementine Douglas Jim Legxacy Poppy Baskcomb Best live performer Amelia Coburn (Quiet Crown)WINNER: Billy Lockett (Lockett Records)High Fade (RPN RECORDS)Katherine Priddy (Cooking Vinyl)The Molotovs (Marshall Records) Best independent label WINNER: Because MusicDead OceansFAMMNinja TuneTru Thoughts Best boutique label Big Scary MonstersBlack AcreTLD RecordsSweardownWINNER: untitled (recs) Best catalogue release WINNER: The Alan Parsons Project, I Robot (Cooking Vinyl)Haruomi Hosono – Tropical Dandy (Stones Throw)Lush – Gala (2025 Remaster) (4AD)Orbital – The Brown Album (London Records)Chameleon – The Very Best of Toyah (Cherry Red Records) Best release campaign WINNER: Fcukers, Ö (Ninja Tune)Geese, Getting Killed (Partisan Records)Genesis Owusu, REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE (Ourness/Believe)Kettama, Archangel (Steel City Dance Disks)Mitski – Nothing’s About to Happen to Me (Dead Oceans)Wet Leg – Moisturizer (Domino Recording Co) Best independent record store Applestump RecordsWINNER: Jacaranda RecordsJust Dropped InIgnite Record StoreSlow Century Records Innovator award WINNER: Fabio & Grooverider Outstanding contribution to music WINNER: Pauline Black Music entrepreneur of the year WINNER: Mark Lippmann (Scruff Of The Neck) DEI Champion WINNER: Cre8ing Vision