Rated Awards 2021 - Performances announced 15 Sep 2021
MICHAEL DAPAAH ANNOUNCED AS NEW CO-HOST ALONGSIDE JOURDAN DUNN AFTER IDRIS ELBA FORCED TO PULL OUT DUE TO UNFORTUNATE ISOLATION CIRCUMSTANCES
GRM Daily’s Iconic Rated Awards Return for Virtual Ceremony
Thursday 16th September 2021 @ 7pm BST
A celebration of the best of British music featuring exclusive performances from the scenes biggest stars including Tion Wayne, Pa Salieu, Backroad Gee, ENNY, Amia Brave, Heartless Crew and Potter Payper
Britain’s premier award ceremony for UK Rap & Grime, the Rated Awards announce full details of the virtual ceremony streaming on Thursday 16th September at 7pm BST.
Returning in 2021 for its 6th year, this year’s GRM Daily Rated Awards will celebrate the best talent in the UK music scene and is guaranteed to provide another selection of iconic performances that simply wouldn’t be seen at other award ceremonies.
Actor, rapper and comedian Michael Dapaah has stepped in to co-host this years’ awards alongside actress and model Jourdan Dunn, following unfortunate isolation circumstances that have forced Idris Elba to pull out of hosting duties this year.
The 2021 Rated Awards will be broadcast exclusively on the GRM Daily YouTube channel, where the winner of each category will be revealed. It will be the first time hosting the Rated Awards for both Michael & Jourdan, taking over from Mo Gilligan and Julie Adenuga who presented the past two editions.
Rated Awards host, Jourdan Dunn says: “I am so honoured to be asked to co-host the GRM Rated Awards, it will be so much fun doing so with Michael Dapaah. I am excited to be part of a show that recognises and celebrates UK talent.”
This years Rated Awards will feature performances from nominees Tion Wayne, Pa Salieu, Backroad Gee, Amia Brave and ENNY for a must see evening of music and entertainment. Showcasing a broad range of the hottest upcoming and established artists, the carefully curated line up will also include unmissable performances from Heartless Crew & Potter Payper.
Set to take place as a virtual ceremony, this year’s Rated Awards will be an immersive experience, but is still set to be one of the biggest celebrations to date, capturing the vibrancy and diversity of the scene like no other award show could.
With awards spanning over ten categories, from Breakthrough and Video of the Year to Album and Personality of the Year, the nominations for the 2021 Rated Awards reflect the huge talent in the UK and will honour some of the scene’s biggest names and their achievements between 1st June 2020 to 1st June 2021.
AJ Tracey, Headie One & Pa Salieu lead this years’ nominations with four nominations each. AJ Tracey & Headie One are up for Male Artist, Track of the Year, Video of the Year and the prestigious Album of the Year categories while Pa Salieu is nominated in Breakthrough of the Year, Track of the Year, Video of the Year and Mixtape of the Year categories, following what has been an incredible year for each artist. They face strong competition from slowthai, Central Cee, Ghetts and Abra Cadabra alongside an array of female nominees across categories including Little Simz, Shaybo, Lady Leshurr, ENNY, Jorja Smith and Stefflon Don. Full list of nominations below.
The Rated Awards were founded by GRM Daily, an award-winning platform at the epicentre of UK Rap & Grime music culture since 2009. An outlet where the very best of British music is whole heartedly celebrated, GRM is renowned as an influential launch pad for the country's emerging and established talent. With over 4 billion YouTube views, 4 million subscribers and a social reach of over 3 million, GRM is the most viewed music channel and website in the UK.
The Rated Awards 2021 with YouTube Music will be streamed on Thursday 16th September @7pm BST, broadcast exclusively on GRM’s YouTube Channel
YouTube Music are the official sponsors of the Rated Awards 2021
Follow @GRMDAILY and @ratedawards on socials to keep up with all-things #RatedAwards
FULL LIST OF NOMINATIONS
Album of the Year
AJ Tracey – Flu Game
Bugzy Malone – The Resurrection
D Block Europe – The Blueprint- Us Vs. Them
Fredo – Money Can’t Buy Happiness
Ghetts – Conflict of Interest
Headie One – EDNA
K Trap – Street Side Effects
Loski – Music, Trial and Trauma: A Drill Story
Nines – Crabs In A Bucket
slowthai - TYRON
Female Artist of the Year
Sponsored by +44 from Amazon Music
Bree Runway
Darkoo
ENNY
Ivorian Doll
Jorja Smith
Lady Leshurr
Ms Banks
Shaybo
Stefflon Don
Midas The Jagaban
Male Artist of the Year
Sponsored by A Jewellers
AJ Tracey
Abra Cadabra
Central Cee
Chip
Digga D
Fredo
Ghetts
Headie One
Potter Payper
Tion Wayne
Breakthrough of the Year
Supported by BBC Radio 1Xtra
ArrDee
BackRoad Gee
ENNY
Central Cee
French The Kid
Jordan
Shaybo
SR
Pa Salieu
wewantwraiths
Personality of the Year
Sponsored by KA Drinks
Big Zuu
Chunkz
Harry Pinero
Nella Rose
Michael Dapaah
Mo Gilligan
Munya Chawawa
Niko Omilana
Yung Filly
ZeZe Millz
Track of the Year
A1 & J1 – Latest Trends
Abra Cadabra – On Deck
Central Cee – Loading
Digga D – Woi
ENNY – Peng Black Girls (ft Amia Brave)
Headie One, Stormzy and AJ Tracey – Ain’t It Different
Nines – Airplane Mode (ft NSG)
Pa Salieu – My Family (ft BackRoad Gee)
Potter Payper – Purpose
Russ & Tion Wayne – Body
Video of the Year
Aitch – Safe To Say (Directed by KC Locke)
AJ Tracey – Little More Love (Directed by KC Locke)
Ghetts – Skengman Mode (ft. Stormzy) (Directed by Nathan James Tettey)
Headie One – Princess Cuts (ft. Young T & Bugsey) (Directed by Capone)
Little Simz - Introvert (Directed by Salomon Ligthelm)
Meekz – Respect The Come Up (Directed by KC Locke)
Nines – Clout (Directed by Charlie Di Placido)
Pa Salieu – My Family (ft. BackRoad Gee) (Directed by Femi Ladi)
Russ & Tion Wayne – Body (Directed by Wowa)
slowthai, Skepta – Cancelled (Directed by THE REST)
Mixtape of the Year
In Association with Porte Noire
Abra Cadabra – Product of My Environment
Central Cee – Wild West
Chip – Snakes and Ladders
Digga D – Made In The Pyrex
Giggs – Now Or Never
M Huncho & Nafe Smallz – DNA
NSG – Roots
Pa Salieu - Send Them To Coventry
Potter Payper – Training Day 3
Unknown T – Rise Above Hate
Radio DJ of the Year
Charlie Sloth
DJ Target
Dotty
Henrie Kwushue
Kenny Allstar
Robert Bruce
Reece Parkinson
Snoochie Shy
Tiffany Calver
Yinka & Shayna Marie
Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Simply Meds
169
5ive Beatz
Chris Rich
Ghosty
Gotcha
Hargo
M1OnTheBeat
P2J
R14
TSB
NEWS & PRESS
Christmas break 2025 - News
News from the break will appear here from 20 December to 4 January. ————————————————————BUSINESS Glastonbury festival has reported revenues increased to £75.2m from £68.4m for the year ended 31 March 2025. Profit before tax was up to £7.7m from £5.9m. (Times) James Steven,...more
Universal Music Group and Roblox announce strategic agreement to expand creative and commercial music experiences on the platform for artists, labels and fans
Roblox will collaborate with UMG to introduce industry-leading integrations on the platform to music fans and Roblox users globally Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment and Roblox, an immersive gaming and creation platform, today announced a new strategic agreement...more
6 exceptional collaborative new music projects supported to tour across the UK and Republic of Ireland through PRS Foundation's Beyond Borders
PRS Foundation, together with Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Arts Council of Ireland announce the UK and Ireland-based organisations, music groups and composers that will receive funding through the co-commissioning and touring programme Beyond Borders. The...more
PRS for Music and IPRS announce groundbreaking new licensing model to launch Apple Fitness+ in India
PRS for Music and the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) have today announced a landmark new licensing model to support the launch of Apple Fitness+ in India. The new initiative marks a significant step forward in how digital music rights are...more
North East Music Leader Named On Influential Government Creative Council
Generator CEO will sit among leading figures from film, TV, design and other creative sectors to champion regional music industry The leader of a North East headquartered music development organisation has been named on an influential Government-led body charged with developing...more
‘The Numbers No Longer Add Up’: Half of Night Time Venues Face 50%+ Business Rate Rises as 2026 Operating Costs Become Unsustainable
Britain’s nightclubs, live music venues, and late-night entertainment spaces are warning that 2026 will bring unsustainable operating costs, with nearly half of venues expecting business rates to rise by 50% or more, according to a flash poll of 345 nightlife business operators. Rising rates...more
Universal Music Group and Splice to Collaborate on the Next Generation of AI-powered Music Creation Tools for Artists
Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, and Splice, the world's most popular music creation platform, have agreed to collaborate on joint exploration of the next generation of AI-powered music creation tools for musical artists. UMG and Splice are...more
Global Nightlife Leaders from Over 30 Countries Converge on Liverpool for Night Time Economy Summit 2026
Liverpool will take centre stage in the global nightlife conversation as night-time economy leaders from more than 30 countries converge on the city for the Night-Time Economy Summit 2026, taking place on 11th and 12th February 2026. Hosted at Blackstock Market, the two-day Summit...more
European Talent Exchange presents final results 2025
ESNS Alumni make international impact across festivals in 2025 European Talent Exchange proudly presents the final results of 2025, a year in which emerging European artists crossed borders at an exceptional pace. Throughout the year, the programme supported 352 shows by 150...more
Independent music publishers generated €2.7bn in 2024 globally - up 5.1% YoY
The latest edition of IMPF's Global Market View also confirms that the collective global market share of the independent music publishing community held firm at 26.3% in 2024. Independent music publishers generated €2.7bn globally in 2024, representing a 5.1% increase year-on-year. The...more
PPL distributes £54.3 million to 147,000 performers and recording rightsholders bringing payments in 2025 to £277.7 million
PPL is paying £54.3 million to 147,000 performers and recording rightsholders today, either as direct members of PPL or indirectly through other collective management organisations (CMOs), including over 8,500 first time payees. This final distribution of the year also includes...more
Beggars Group
We are pleased to confirm that the shares in the Beggars Group were transferred into a Trust in October 2024. This strategic decision aims to preserve the company's independence and help to ensure continuity over future generations, in the interests...more
France’s music publishing market was up 6% in 2024 to €597 million boosted by strong revenues in Digital, Public Performance and Live
The music publishing market in France has posted record revenues of €597 million in 2024, up 6% compared to 2023, according to the yearly report ‘Focus on Music Publishing in France 2024′, unveiled today by music publishers’ associations CSDEM (pop...more
Bandcamp Fridays in 2025 Deliver Over $19 Million to Independent Artists and Labels, Surpassing Last Year's Total
Final Bandcamp Friday of the Year Was the Strongest of the Year – Driving More Than $3.8 Million in 24 Hours Since Its 2020 Launch, the Initiative Has Routed Over $154 Million Directly to Artists and Labels Bandcamp, the world's largest online music...more
BMG and TikTok expand partnership to advance songwriter recognition and digital rights management
BMG has renewed and expanded its direct music publishing agreement with TikTok, marking the next phase in a partnership focused on evolving digital rights, creating deeper value for songwriters, and supporting continued innovation across the platform. The new agreement strengthens BMG's...more
BPI opens nominations for election of Independent Representatives on its Council
The BPI is holding elections for two independent representative places on its Council BPI Council plays a key role in determining the trade association’s strategy and policy goals Deadline for nominations is 1pm Thursday 15 January 2026, with voting opening in early...more
PRS for Music pays out record £274.9 million in final royalty distributions of 2025
Nearly 400 music creators receive a royalty payment for the first time PRS for Music has announced its largest-ever royalty payout, distributing £274.9 million to rightsholders worldwide. The December distributions mark a 4% increase on last year, cementing its role as...more
Music Venue Trust Announces New Co-Chairs and Expanded Board Governance as Sector Faces Critical Year Ahead
Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents hundreds of UK grassroots music venues (GMVs), has announced key changes to its Board of Trustees as the organisation prepares for the challenges of 2026. Chris Prosser and Jane Beese have been...more
Beatchain deepens emerging market presence with West African launch of WAVVI in partnership with Tom Russell & Y’akoto, Founders of AFROSON1C X
New platform will connect talent from one of the world’s fastest growing music regions with global opportunities Beatchain, the AI-driven A&R, artist and label services platform for the independent music sector, is expanding into West Africa through a collaboration with British...more
Eric Wong promoted to EVP, Recorded Music at Warner Music Group
Esteemed Exec Takes On New Post Alongside His Role As President, East West Records US & President, Warner Music Canada Warner Music Group (WMG) today announced that Eric Wong has been promoted to EVP, Recorded Music at WMG alongside his post as President,...more
Alain Lanceron named Chairman Emeritus of Warner Classics & Erato
NONESUCH RECORDS PRESIDENT DAVID BITHER TO OVERSEE WMG'S CLASSICAL DIVISION MARKUS PETERSEN APPOINTED EVP & GENERAL MANAGER, WARNER CLASSICS Veteran music executive Alain Lanceron has been named Chairman Emeritus of Warner Classics & Erato, effective January 1, 2026. The widely admired leader has worked...more
Boomtown appoints new Managing Director
Boomtown Festival has announced the promotion of Toby Gwazdacz to the newly created role of Managing Director, marking an evolution in the festival’s leadership structure. In his new position, Gwazdacz will work strategically alongside Boomtown co-founders Luke Mitchell and Chris...more
The BRIT Trust announces its beneficiary charities for 2026
Grants totalling more than £30 million have been awarded by the BRIT Trust since its foundation in 1989, supporting causes that share its mission to improve lives through the power of music and the creative arts The BRIT Trust – the principal charity of...more
Cherry Red Records acquires Gull Records, State Records, and Uproar Entertainment
Cherry Red Records is proud to announce the acquisition and representation of three significant and culturally influential catalogues: Gull Records, State Records, and Uproar Entertainment. Each brings a unique catalogue to the Cherry Red roster, expanding the label’s repertoire in...more
New Study Warns Spotify’s 1,000-Stream Rule Is Silencing Southeast Europe’s Music Scene
Read the study here A comprehensive new report entitled Impact Analysis of Spotify’s 1,000-Stream Rule, conducted by ANMIP-BG - IMPALA member and national association representing Bulgarian independent labels - in association with SoAlive Music Conference and Flat Line Collective, has uncovered...more
UK Music Chief Executive response to Government AI & Copyright Statement of Progress
In response to the Government’s Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Statement of Progress published today, UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: “UK Music welcomes the findings from the Government’s AI consultation, which vindicates the position taken by UK Music and the...more
Divo appoints Ashok Parwani as Head Of Music
Strategic Hire Will Accelerate Regional Catalogue Expansion and Strengthen Artist Partnerships in Key South Indian Markets Divo, one of South India's leading digital media and music companies, which is majority owned by Warner Music India, today announced the appointment of Ashok...more
RoEx Announces Studio Pro
Hits 5 Million Track Milestone Audio technology company RoEx has introduced Studio Pro, a premium subscription tier for its Mix Check Studioplatform, marking the release alongside a significant milestone: 5 million tracks enhanced across its suite of AI-driven audio production tools. Studio Pro offers unlimited access to Mastering+...more
[PIAS] Announces Retirement of Nick Hartley, Group Chief Operating Officer & Group Chief Financial Officer
Longstanding Board Director to Step Down after 26 Years [PIAS], one of the world’s leading music groups, has announced the retirement of Nick Hartley, the company’s Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO). After a distinguished career spanning...more
Nile Rodgers honoured with Outstanding Achievement Award at 65th MPA Christmas lunch
Iconic CHIC co-founder and global hitmaker recognised for five decades of musical innovation as the MPA celebrates a Disco-themed 2025 Christmas Lunch The Music Publishers Association (MPA) today presented the legendary Nile Rodgers with its prestigious Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting &...more
THE HEADLINES
What’s going to give you the marketing edge in 2026? (see Features)
The global value of music copyright hits an all-time high (see Reports)
The 'metamorphosis' of Atlantic Records (see Features)
Looking ahead to 2026 (see Opinion)
Boost for artists in AI copyright battle as only 3% back UK active opt-out plan (see News)
Music discovery: More channels, more problems (see Reports)
The 10 biggest AI music stories of 2025 (see Features)
Do pop stars write their own hits—and if not, who does? (see Analysis)
TikTok unveils its Year in Music Report (see Digital)
Coldplay, U2, Ed Sheeran named most popular touring artists of the millennium (see News)
King Gizzard, having pulled music from Spotify in protest, find genAI clones on the platform (see Digital)
UK parliamentarians join call to regulate most powerful AI systems (see News)
Martin Mills is trying to thwart a record industry takeover by Universal (see Features)
