NIA ARCHIVES IS THE FIRST ELECTRONIC ARTIST TO BE NAMED BBC MUSIC INTRODUCING’S ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Nia Archives is this year's BBC Music Introducing Artist of The Year, making her the first electronic artist to win the award since it launched in 2014.

BBC Introducing broke the news on Instagram in November 3rd, with the Bradford-born jungle artist receiving the award from BBC DJs Roesh and Jaguar. The accolade follows her recent victory at the AIM Independent Music Awards in the “One To Watch” category.

omg !!! thank u sm @bbcintroducing 4 making me ur artist of tha year <333 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 with sober feels in 2020 :) feels so full circle <3 pic.twitter.com/qzfSMqq2Ab

— Nia Archives (@archives_nia) November 3, 2022

 Amid a breakout year, Nia Archives released the RA-recommended EP Forbidden Feelingz, produced music for Mall Grab's critically acclaimed debut album and contributed to the PinkPantheress remix package, to hell with it (remixes).

More recently, she released the samba-flavoured track “Baianá” on her own HIJINXX label, and test-run her bootleg of Tempa T's “Next Hype” during a Boiler Room performance.

Nia Archives' victory coincides with the news that BBC local radio is to face significant cuts to budget and programming. The cuts, which will be officially announced on November 7th, will see local stations merge to become more regionally focused. BBC Introducing is also rumoured to be in the firing line.

Here's the moment Nia Archives received the award, and watch footage of her playing her “Next Hype” bootleg.

We are INSANELY hyped to reveal this years Introducing Artist of the Year - the unreal talent that is Leeds’ @archives_nia -- --

Here’s the moment she found out courtesy of @DJ_Roesh @JaguarWorldwide -- pic.twitter.com/imDJFSit5N

— BBC Music Introducing (@bbcintroducing) November 3, 2022

ma bootleg of tempa t - next hype -- pic.twitter.com/cM5LKnCYQi

— Nia Archives (@archives_nia) October 31, 2022

[ h/t ra.co ]