The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) and Music Managers Forum (MMF) have revealed the final awardees and shortlists for the 2025 Artist & Manager Awards.
The ceremony returns to London’s Bloomsbury Big Top on Thursday, November 20.
The Artist Champion for 2025 is DJ AG and his co-managers Fiona Ramsay and Zeon Richards (pictured).
Tottenham-born AG’s spontaneous pop-up events have been amplified via TikTok and Instagram into authentic online communities, attracting hundreds of millions of views.
He has provided a platform for new talent and A-listers alike, including Burna Boy, Skepta, JME, Central Cee, Jorja Smith, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Ed Sheeran, Slick Rick, Tiwa Savage, Beres Hammond, Beenie Man and Ciara.
“He is a worthy artist champion, and testament also to the guidance of Fiona Ramsay and Zeon Richards – two of the UK’s most respected talent managers and music strategists, who have organically expanded DJ AG’s cultural impact, while never once losing its humble, electrifying and generous essence,” said a statement.
The 2025 Writer/Producer Manager (sponsored by Concord) is awarded to Oli Isaacs and Luke Williams at This Is Music, recognising in particular their long-term partnership with the producer, artist and songwriter James Ford.
Established in 2007, This Is Music has specialised predominantly in underground electronic music. The company’s current roster also includes Bicep, Sherelle Jayda G and Ross From Friends.
Their relationship with James Ford goes back even further, managing him as a producer and for his initial releases as one half of Simian Mobile Disco since 2005. This Is Music still represents SMD as well as the other member of the duo, Jas Shaw.
James Ford’s early productions include albums for the likes of Klaxons (Mercury-winning Myths of the Near Future), Arctic Monkeys (Favourite Worst Nightmare, Suck It and See, AM) and The Last Shadow Puppets (The Age of the Understatement).
In the past two years alone, he has produced records by Depeche Mode, Jessie Ware, Blur, Pet Shop Boys, The Last Dinner Party, Geese, Beth Gibbons, Fontaines DC, Black Country, New Road and Pulp.
In 2023, he also released a debut solo album on Warp Records, The Hum, as James Ellis Ford.
They demonstrate the pure power of music and collaboration
David Martin
David Martin, CEO, Featured Artists Coalition, said; “With less than three weeks to go, we’re incredibly excited to confirm our final awardees and shortlists for the 2025 Artist & Manager Awards. I am absolutely delighted we can recognise the incredible impact of DJ AG as a champion of other artists, as well as the vital roles played by Fiona and Zeon, and of Oli and Jake at This Is Music for their work with James Ford. All demonstrate the pure power of music and collaboration.”
2025’s awards for Breakthrough Artist (sponsored by Symphonic), Breakthrough Manager (sponsored by Amazon Music) and Secret Weapon will be announced on the evening of the ceremony. The Secret Weapon award recognises a member of a management team who has made invaluable behind-the-scenes contributions to a campaign, career or event.
These shortlists are as follows:
Breakthrough Artist (sponsored by Symphonic):
• Good Neighbours
• Jim Legxacy
• Luvcat
• Overmono
• Skye Newman
• Wunderhorse
Breakthrough Manager (sponsored by Amazon Music):
• Jamlia Scott – Made Management (Aurora, Jack Kane, halfrhymes, Melle Brown, Hannah Yadi)
• Hamish Fingland – Bounse MGMT (Jacob Alon, James Emmanuel, Lucia & The Best Boys, Walt Disco)
• Beniam ‘Hanz’ Hannes (Odeal)
• Alex Omisesan (Nemzzz)
• Claire Kilcourse – Big Life Management (Orla Gartland, Look Mum No Computer, Sivu )
• Charlotte Maher – Solar Management (David Wrench, Marta Salogni, Sam Petts-Davies, Luca Perry, Ellie Mason)
Secret Weapon
• Jackie Joseph, General Counsel – Blue Raincoat Music
• Jessica Miller, Senior Creative and Operations Manager – Karma Artists
• Myradh Cormican, Director of Audience and Partnerships – Frame Artists
• Tina Bhattacharjee, Senior Day to Day Artist Manager – September Management
Annabella Coldrick, chief executive, Music Managers Forum, said: “With the winners of five categories being announced on the night, this year’s awards should be particularly exciting. Both our Breakthrough shortlists are incredibly strong, and the nominees for Secret Weapon highlight those unsung heroes who have contributed significantly to specific teams or campaigns. We can’t wait to welcome our friends, partners and communities to celebrate with us on November 20th.”
Previously announced winners for the 2025 Artist & Manager Awards are:
• Pulp & Jeannette Lee (Artist & Manager Partnership, sponsored by PPL)
• Stephen Taverner (Managers’ Manager)
• Craig Logan (Entrepreneur, sponsored by Sound Royalties)
• Soul II Soul (Pioneer, sponsored by PRS for Music)
• Nature the artist & EarthPercent (Earth Action)
Winners of Artist Of The Year (sponsored by Tixel) and Manager Of The Year will be revealed on the night.
For the second year in succession, the ceremony will be hosted by BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Remi Burgz.
