Kojey Radical Honored With Trailblazer Award at Billboard U.K.’s Inaugural 40 Under 40 Event
Categoria: Musica
The event took place at the Beyond The Music conference in Salford.
Por Billboard | 07/10/2026
Billboard U.K. hosted its inaugural 40 Under 40 honors event Wednesday (Oct. 7) in Salford to celebrate the young industry leaders shaking up the U.K music scene. Related Billboard U.K. to Launch Inaugural 40 Under 40 List, Host Honors Event at Manchester’s Beyond The Music Festival Sam Smith Made a 'Nightmare' Mistake With New Album Title 'Hazel Eyes' After Beyonce Controversy, Charley Crockett and Gavin Adcock Are All Good Taking place at Media City, just outside of Manchester, the invite-only ceremony honored the chosen executives for the first-ever Billboard U.K. 40 Under 40 list. The list celebrates talent from across major music institutions, including labels and distributors, management, publishing, streaming companies, the live business, rights associations and more. The event also saw Kojey Radical , one of the U.K.’s most eclectic and forward-thinking rappers, become the recipient of the Trailblazer Award. His emotional speech was followed by a set from local indie band Bank Holiday. During the afternoon’s opening remarks, Billboard U.K. editor Thomas Smith praised the honorees’ “new ideas and new approaches in the way we work.” He continued: “I truly feel like the difference makers in our sector are in this room. The sector thrives on innovation and fresh thinking.” “The same old ways of working are gone … so how can we set new standards and encourage and uplift one another? That’s why I love this list; to give young, dynamic people their flowers while they’re still in development phase. Bringing this honors event to Beyond the Music feels like a perfect fit between a shared goal: inspiring the next generation.” Bev Craig, mayor of Greater Manchester, also delivered a rousing speech celebrating what it meant to see the event — which formed part of the Beyond the Music industry conference’s official programming — take place in Manchester, and her goals for the region’s sector. “The challenge is to make sure that the world that we’re trying to create is one that treasures creativity. One that gives room for it to grow and space for it to thrive,” she said. “And I say this as a kid from a council estate; we need to give people the opportunities to be able to rise to the top of their game,
no matter their background.” She continued: “I think there’s a chance for us to kick off a conversation here that is different, one that is special, but one that helps us shape the future and doesn’t just accept our old ways of working.” Kojey received the Trailblazer Award following a blockbuster 2026. The artist sold out London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall in the spring and released his second LP, Don’t Look Down , which will compete in this year’s Mercury Prize ceremony in Newcastle on Oct. 22. “Receiving the Trailblazer Award feels particularly emotional because being a trailblazer isn’t about knowing where you’re going,” said Kojey while accepting the award.