Tru Thoughts nominated for Independent Music Awards ‘Best Label’ 2026
We are delighted and very proud to have been nominated for ‘Best Label’ 2026 at AIM’s Independent Music Awards, in association with IDOL & Labelcamp.
AIM have shared the news of this year’s nominations with the following:
We are thrilled to reveal the final wave of nominees for the 2026 Independent Music Awards, celebrating the creativity, ambition and diversity of independent labels and teams across the UK and beyond. This year’s nominees reflect the breadth of the independent sector, spanning genres, business models and regions, from established labels to emerging independent businesses and grassroots organisations.
Because Music, Dead Oceans, FAMM, Ninja Tune and Tru Thoughts are nominated for Best Independent Label (in association with IDOL), with the shortlist reflecting both long-term achievement and continued success across the independent sector. For example, Because Music recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with a two-day takeover of Paris’s Centre Pompidou, while FAMM marks a decade of nurturing artists such as Jorja Smith. Brighton’s Tru Thoughts, meanwhile, enters its 27th year as a fully independent label and publisher, with recent collaborations across its roster featuring King Krule, Roots Manuva, James Mollison and JME. Ninja Tune recently delivered three UK Top 10 albums across three different artists alongside a breakout year for Fcukers, this year’s joint most nominated artist, while Dead Oceans, home to Phoebe Bridgers, has continued its success with the recent release of her acclaimed new album Lost Weekend. FAMM and Tru Thoughts receive their first nominations in the category this year, demonstrating the success of the latest generation of cutting-edge labels.
Robert Luis & Paul Jonas, founders of Tru Thoughts Records have commented:
“Being nominated for the Best Independent Label Award at this year’s AIM Awards is fantastic recognition for everything that we are trying to achieve as a label. A moment like this provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on our recent releases and current roster. We’re proud that we continue to champion fresh talent like Tara Lily, Footshooter, Sosyete ’25, and Gayance who are just beginning their journeys with Tru Thoughts – and who are receiving fantastic support – alongside longtime favourites like Hot 8 Brass Band, Moonchild, Alice Russell and WheelUP. While we release a wide range of genres, we feel there’s a common thread that ties it all together. In a time when we’re constantly flooded with new music, it’s great to see truly independent labels being recognised in this way”
AIM is the non-profit trade body looking after the UK’s independent music sector, and home of the AIM Independent Music Awards which take place at London’s Roundhouse on Tuesday 22nd September.
Read more about this year’s awards and all of the nominees at: https://independentmusicawards.co.uk/2026-nominees/
