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Nia Archives has been awarded BBC Music Introducing’s Artist of the Year — making her the first-ever electronic artist to gain this title.
The Bradford-born vocalist, producer, label boss and DJ received the award last week from DJs Roesh and Jaguar.
The award, which has been running since 2014, has previously had the likes of Celeste, Arlo Parks, Catfish And The Bottlemen win — but Nia is the first to be awarded from an electronic background.
Read this next: Flying the junglist flag: Nia Archives is leading jungle’s new era
Writing on Instagram on the award Nia said: “tha support genuinely means so much, i remember when i was 17 livin in manny i used 2 always upload my tunes on bbc intro n my first radio play was by @jiszatt with sober feels in 2020 🙂 feels so full circle, thank u thank u x1000”
The previous Mixmag cover star has had a busy year releasing her EP ‘Forbidden Feelingz’ on her own HIJINXX label, producing music for Mall Grab’s debut album ‘What I Breathe’ as well as contributing to PinkPantheress ‘to hell with it’ remix package.
In September alone, Nia released her Brazillian-inspired single ‘Baianá’ sampling the Barbatuques choir and also won the award of One To Watch at the AIM Independent Music Awards.
Read this next: Get to know Nia Archives and her ‘future classic’ take on jungle
Earlier this year, she also published a handwritten letter outlining her thoughts on the MOBO Awards not including an electronic or dance category.
She ended her statement with the stand-alone line: “Time are changing – what side of history do you want to be on?”
However, the future of BBC Introducing could soon shattered as rumours spead on the show ending as BBC look into cutting local radio with news officially due to be announced today.
Watch the moment Nia was awarded the first electronic artist to become BBC Music Introducing’s Artist of the Year below.
Becky Buckle is Mixmag’s Video and Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter
Written by: Tim Hopkins