Olivia Dean named Apple Music’s Artist of the Year for 2026

Olivia Dean has been named Apple Music’s Artist of the Year for 2026, becoming the first British artist to receive the streaming service’s annual award.

The 27-year-old singer’s album *The Art of Loving*, released in late 2025, helped drive her international breakthrough, according to Nieuws.nl. Her song “Man I Need” has remained in Apple Music’s daily Top 100 since August last year, the outlet reported.

Dean also won the Grammy for Best New Artist and four BRIT Awards this year. Apple Music says its award recognises an artist it considers to have had a significant impact on music; it is separate from the Grammys and BRIT Awards.

“I love making music. It’s the best thing there is,” Dean said in response to the award. “It feels great to be recognised as an artist who has had an impact.”

Her recent rise has also been reflected in her live shows: in less than a year, she went from supporting Sabrina Carpenter at New York’s Madison Square Garden to playing four headline concerts there. She also performed six sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena.