British singer and songwriter Olivia Dean has clinched the title of Apple Music’s Artist of the Year for 2026. This feat makes her the first music act from the United Kingdom to pick up the prestigious global honour, according to Punch.
The global streaming service revealed the news in an announcement released on Monday, November 9, calling Dean's career growth the standout feel-good music journey of the year. The platform attributed the milestone to the outstanding performance of her second album, "The Art of Loving," which arrived late in 2025 and picked up massive momentum over the past year.
Dean’s track, "Man I Need," has remained a permanent fixture on Apple Music’s Daily Top 100 since it debuted on the chart on August 29, 2025. Apple noted that listeners were drawn to her open and emotive tracks centred on friendship and love, while editors observed that her work carries influences from legends like Sade, Prince, and Lauryn Hill.
The 27-year-old singer has enjoyed an extraordinary run of achievements over the past year. She took home the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and secured four BRIT Awards, including Artist of the Year, alongside a completely sold-out worldwide tour.
Her stage performances also saw explosive growth. After opening for American pop star Sabrina Carpenter at Madison Square Garden in New York City in late 2025, Dean returned to headline her own four-night residency at the historic venue before moving to London, where she sold out a six-night series of concerts at The O2 Arena.
Sharing her excitement about the award, Dean remarked, “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 recognized as an artist that’s made an impact is really cool.”
Rachel Newman, the co-head of Apple Music, explained that Dean’s authenticity created an unmatched bond with listeners. Newman noted that the singer consistently speaks from the heart, delivering genuine music that connects deeply with fans everywhere.
As part of the recognition, the British star will receive a specially crafted physical trophy featuring Apple’s custom silicon wafer set within glass and aluminium, accompanied by dedicated streaming playlists celebrating her catalogue.
