Skepta has won an AIM Award for Outstanding Contribution

Skepta has been handed the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award at this year’s AIM Awards.

Skepta – one of grime’s most prominent MCs – has been given a prestigious award for his commitment to the genre and music in general. The award is given by the AIM independent music awards – a Merlin sponsored event which celebrates all aspects of independent music. Last year Richie Hawtin took home the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.

AIM Awards judge and Radio 1 DJ and presenter MistaJam expanded on Skepta’s win saying “Since grime was born out of the ashes of UK garage, Skepta has been a pioneer of the sound, of the DIY business model and the culture. DJ, producer, writer, MC, record label boss and performer – there’s no denying Skepta has put in the blood, sweat and tears for the last 10 whole years and now, as he stands on the cusp of true international acclaim, it feels right to award Skepta for his immense contribution so far to British music.”

The awards take place in London on 8 September. Other awards to have already been announced include Ninja Tune’s win of the Innovator Award and the Pioneer Award which will be going to Digby Pearson. Björk, The Bug, JME and FKA twigs were all also nominated for awards.

The awards are judged by experts from across the music industry including journalists and presenters from FACT, Radio 1 and 1Xtra, 6Music, XFM, Drowned In Sound, The Quietus, Mixmag and more.

Skepta performs alongside JME at this year’s Simple Things Festival. Catch them live there on 24 October and revisit our cover feature with Skepta right here.