Olivia Dean Named Apple Music's Artist of the Year for 2026

Image: Olivia Dean poses with the Apple Music Artist of the Year Award. · Source

Apple Music has honored UK singer Olivia Dean as its Artist of the Year for 2026, recognizing her breakthrough success and emotional songwriting that resonated globally.

On November 9, 2026, Apple Music announced that British singer Olivia Dean is its Artist of the Year for 2026, acknowledging her significant rise to fame over the past year. Dean is the first UK artist to receive this distinguished honor from the streaming service.

Olivia Dean's acclaimed 2025 album, The Art of Loving, propelled her career forward, with the single “Man I Need” maintaining a spot on Apple Music's Daily Top 100 charts since its debut in August 2025. Her success extended beyond streaming numbers—she completed sold-out global tours, won a GRAMMY for Best New Artist, and earned four BRIT Awards including Artist of the Year.

In 2025, Dean opened for Sabrina Carpenter at Madison Square Garden before returning less than a year later for her own four-night residency in New York City. She also sold out six nights at the O2 Arena in London, demonstrating her growing international appeal.

Apple Music editors praised Dean for her warm and vulnerable songwriting about love and friendship, which draws on the tradition of 1960s soul and pop. Her style reflects influences from iconic artists like Sade, Prince, and Lauryn Hill. Dean's music fosters a community centered on love, inspired by the book All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks, emphasizing love as an active practice.

Dean expressed gratitude for the recognition: “I love making music. It’s the best thing in the world. Being Apple’s Artist of the Year feels really amazing.” Apple Music co-head Rachel Newman highlighted Dean’s authentic emotional connection, noting her songs inspire listeners to express affection and joy in their own lives.

As part of the accolade, Dean will receive a physical Apple Music Award featuring the company’s custom silicon chip suspended in glass and aluminum, symbolizing the technology that supports Apple Music’s vast catalog of over 100 million songs.

Apple Music continues to innovate with features like lossless audio, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, and curated playlists, available globally across numerous devices including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, HomePod, CarPlay, and more. The platform emphasizes privacy by remaining ad-free and not sharing user data.

Dean's recognition encapsulates a remarkable year for the artist and highlights Apple Music’s commitment to celebrating breakthrough musicians and the global artist community.