{"id":109102,"date":"2026-11-11T10:20:51","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T10:20:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=109102"},"modified":"2026-11-11T10:22:36","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T10:22:36","slug":"olivia-dean-apple-music-artist-of-the-year-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/olivia-dean-apple-music-artist-of-the-year-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Olivia Dean named Apple Music\u2019s Artist of the Year for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Olivia Dean has become the first UK artist to receive Apple Music\u2019s Artist of the Year award, following a breakthrough year driven by chart success, major awards and sold-out shows.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple Music<\/a> has officially announced<\/a> Olivia Dean as its Artist of the Year for 2026, recognising the British singer-songwriter\u2019s incredible rise over the past 12 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the release of her second album, The Art of Loving in late 2025, Olivia has become one of the year’s biggest musical success stories. From a Grammy win and four BRIT Awards to record-breaking singles and sold-out arena shows, she’s had a year to remember.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She’s also the first UK artist to receive Apple Music’s Artist of the Year award, joining previous winners including Tyler, The Creator (2025<\/a>), Billie Eilish (2024<\/a> and 2019), Taylor Swift (2023<\/a>), Bad Bunny (2022<\/a>), The Weeknd (2021<\/a>) and Lil Baby (2020).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia Dean’s highlights from 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Released in September 2025, Olivia’s second album, The Art of Loving, became the foundation for her breakthrough year. One of its lead singles, \u2018Man I Need\u2019, has appeared on Apple Music\u2019s Daily Top 100 every day since first entering on 29 August 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The album\u2019s success also helped earn Olivia the Grammy Award<\/a> for Best New Artist, alongside four wins at the 2026 BRIT Awards<\/a>, including British Artist of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia’s success hasn’t been limited to streaming though. Her collaboration with Sam Fender, ‘Rein Me In’, became the longest-running number one single in UK chart history, spending 23 non-consecutive weeks at the top of the Official Singles Chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia has also taken her music to some of the world’s biggest stages. After opening for Sabrina Carpenter at Madison Square Garden in 2025, Olivia returned less than a year later for her own four-night run at the iconic New York venue. She followed this with six sold-out nights at London’s O2 Arena as part of her global tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking about the award, Olivia said: “To be recognized as an artist that\u2019s made an impact is really cool.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple Music co-head Rachel Newman also praised the connection Olivia has established with her audience, highlighting how her openness and genuine approach have helped turn a successful year into a defining one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can check out Olivia Dean\u2019s music on Apple Music<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New subscribers get 1 month free of Apple Music. Sign up today and start listening for free.* <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n