British singer and songwriter Olivia Dean is the 2026 Artist of the Year according to Apple Music. She is the very first artist from the United Kingdom to take home this major prize, cementing her place as a rising star in the pop and soul scene. The big win caps off a wild twelve months for the young performer, driven by a hit album, major industry awards, and sold out arena shows all over the world.
Her hit song and global tour led to this huge win
Dean really grabbed the spotlight with her second studio album called The Art of Loving, which came out late last year. Listeners everywhere quickly fell in love with her honest lyrics and her warm singing voice. One of the most popular tracks from that record, Man I Need, became a massive hit. In fact, it has stayed on the Apple Music Daily Top 100 chart every single day since it first dropped in late August 2025.
That kind of steady, long term listening shows just how deeply fans connected with her message of intentional love and emotional growth. App streaming bosses even pointed out that her songs make people want to call a friend or dance around their kitchen.
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Beyond pulling in huge streaming numbers, she had a massive year on the road. She went from being an opening act for Sabrina Carpenter at Madison Square Garden in the fall of 2025 to headlining her own four night run at the very same venue less than a year later.
After conquering New York, she crossed back over the ocean and played six completely sold out nights at the famous O2 Arena in London. On top of her heavy touring schedule, she also picked up Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammys and grabbed four different trophies at the BRIT Awards.
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