Olivia Dean named Apple Music’s Artist Of The Year

Olivia Dean has been named Apple Music’s Artist Of The Year for 2026.

The 27-year-old’s second album The Art Of Loving was released last year and featured singles including Man I Need, Nice To Each Other and So Easy (To Fall In Love).

After topping the UK Albums Chart, it also earned her the 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.

Dean is the first UK artist to be named Apple Music’s Artist of the Year.

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. She is open and genuine in everything she shares, and that connection is what turned a great year into a defining one.”

Dean said: “I love making music. It’s the best thing in the world. I think being Apple’s Artist of the Year feels really amazing. To be recognised as an artist that’s made an impact is really cool.”

Man I Need has charted on Apple Music’s Daily Top 100 every day since first appearing on August 29 2025.

Over the past year Dean has also 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.

Apple Music said the musician had “found and grown her audience with warm, vulnerable songs about love and friendship”.

Dean’s debut album Messy – which peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart and was nominated for the Mercury Prize – was released in 2023.

The Art Of Loving was released in September 2025, with Man I Need becoming her first number one on the UK Singles Chart.

It also reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

In February she won four Brit Awards – artist of the year, album of the year, pop act and song of the year.

The same month, she won the Grammy for best new artist.

In March she won three Mobo awards: song of the year for Man I Need, album of the year and best female act.

A product of the Brit School, Dean has also performed at Glastonbury, released the song It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be for the film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, and been a musical guest on Saturday Night Live.

Previous Apple Music Artist of the Year awards have gone to Tyler, the Creator, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, The Weeknd and Lil Baby.