Olivia Dean named Apple Music's Artist of the Year

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 16:27 · Archive

Singer Olivia Dean has been named Apple Music's Artist of the Year for 2026, the first UK artist to receive the honour.

Olivia Dean, 27, has been named Apple Music's Artist of the Year for 2026. She is the first UK artist to receive this honour and will receive a physical Apple Music Award featuring a custom silicon wafer.

Dean's second album The Art Of Loving was released last year and topped the UK Albums Chart. It earned her a Grammy for best new artist and four Brit Awards this year. Her collaboration with Sam Fender, Rein Me In, became the longest-running number one in UK chart history and won the Brit Award for song of the year. The album featured singles including Man I Need, Nice To Each Other and So Easy (To Fall In Love).

Apple Music co-head Rachel Newman said: "What sets Olivia apart is that she speaks from the heart, every time. Her songs make you want to call a friend, dance in your kitchen, and tell someone you love them." Dean said: "To be recognised as an artist that's made an impact is really cool."

Over the past year Dean has sold out a global tour, including a six-night run at The O2 in London, and had a four-night residency at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Man I Need has charted on Apple Music's Daily Top 100 every day since first appearing on 29 August 2025.

How it is being reported

• Apple Music's 2026 Artist of the Year is Olivia DeanApple today announced that Olivia Dean is Apple Music's Artist of the Year in recognition of "her undeniable leap to stardom in what's been the defining feel-good music story of 2026." Dean is the first artist from the UK to receive this honor, and she will receive a physical Apple Music Award featuring a custom silicon wafer. Apple Music has highlighted Dean's music and shared a video in which she shared her thoughts on being named the service's Artist of the Year. Tag: Apple Music This article, " Apple Music's 2026 Artist of the Year is Olivia Dean " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss…MacRumors · 9 Nov, 16:07
• Olivia Dean named Apple Music’s Artist Of The YearThe singer’s second album The Art Of Loving earned her a Grammy and four Brit Awards.Evening Standard · 9 Nov, 16:00

In this story: Olivia Dean · Sam Fender · Apple Music · The O2 · Madison Square Garden

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