In the run-up to the Music Week Awards (May 8), label presidents have been speaking about the prospects for UK talent.
As reported in Music Week, there are signs of optimism in Q1 with artists including Lola Young, Sam Fender, Central Cee, and more challenging the dominance of US talent in the past year.
One of the biggest breakthrough artists is RCA-signed Myles Smith, who had the biggest single of 2024 by a UK artist with Stargazing. He also has two tracks in the overall Q1 albums rankings, as well as three singles in the current Top 75 (including Shaboozey collaboration Blink Twice).
Here, RCA co-presidents Glyn Aikins and Stacey Tang share insights on Myles Smith and the A&R strategy for UK talent…
Myles Smith has two tracks in the Q1 biggest albums Top 40. How did you achieve that result, what’s been key to his success in terms of the label’s role and support?
Stacey Tang: “Trust, collaboration, transparency and fierce ambition from Myles through to management, label and the crew in international territories. It takes an experimental – and brave – village!
“Regular release flow, an insane touring schedule and candid communication (Glyn always says ‘we deal in conversations’) has meant everyone feels they have an invitation to contribute and create impact. That approach fosters the bravery to experiment and collaboration between different disciplines and territories. A win for Myles is a win for all of us.”
Myles Smith performed at and won a BRIT Award - how significant was that moment and how will the momentum build from here?
Glyn Aikins: “Myles’ BRIT Awards acceptance speech was of particular significance in that it inspired other recipients on the night to use their voices and platform to not only highlight the challenges faced by the UK Music industry but propose changes to secure its future. It was a powerful moment.”
More generally, at a time when US artists are making their mark on UK charts, how can UK artists compete with them both at home and internationally?
GA: “The story around the majority of the US artists who are presently dominating the UK charts is one of long-term artist development which, at the heart of it, is about an approach to A&R. In order to compete we have to be patient and focused on our own approach to A&R and artist development.
“The UK houses a rich, diverse, creative and unique artist community you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world. This makes for an exciting time for British music – we are seeing no end of interest in British artists not only from British record labels but, increasingly, from labels in other territories around the world all keen to invest in British music.”
Subscribers can read our full report on the progress of UK talent in 2025.
And our Myles Smith cover feature is here.
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