B2StreamingNov 10, 20261 min readEdited by William Boles

Apple Music names Olivia Dean its 2026 Artist of the Year, the first UK artist to win

Announced alongside Apple Music's Best of 2026 content, the award follows Tyler, the Creator, Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift.

Apple Music named Olivia Dean its Artist of the Year for 2026 on November 9, according to Apple. She is the first UK artist to receive the honour.

Apple cited her rise following the album The Art of Loving. Coverage notes her single "Man I Need" has charted on Apple Music's Daily Top 100 every day since its August 29, 2025 debut.

The award is a physical trophy built around a custom Apple silicon wafer. Previous winners are Tyler, the Creator (2025), Billie Eilish (2024) and Taylor Swift (2023). Her 2026 honours also include a Grammy for Best New Artist and four BRIT Awards, according to Official Charts. Apple also launched Best of 2026 playlists and curated content.

The Lockgroove take

Platform awards are quiet marketing for the platform too.

Year-end honours let services frame the year in their own data, and a Daily Top 100 streak is exactly the sort of figure an app can claim. It also makes a sharp contrast with Spotify Wrapped, which turns the same idea toward listeners.

Dean's win is a good fit anyway: a soulful, melody-first record that worked across charts and critics. A UK first is a nice detail for a service that has leaned on global stars.

Put this on

01
Olivia Dean, "Man I Need" (The Art of Loving, 2025)
The song behind the Daily Top 100 streak.
Play on Apple Music
02
Olivia Dean, "Nice To Each Other" (The Art of Loving, 2025)
A warm, groove-led single from the record.
Play on Apple Music
03
Olivia Dean, "So Easy (To Fall In Love)" (The Art of Loving, 2025)
A fan favourite from the same album.
Play on Apple Music