DJ Mag Best of British 2025 Awards: A Night That Defined UK Electronic Music
The DJ Mag Best of British 2025 Awards highlighted the artists, venues and labels defining UK electronic music’s present and future.
This wasn’t simply an awards ceremony. It was a statement of identity.
Few nights carry as much cultural weight in UK electronic music as DJ Mag’s Best of British Awards — and the 2025 edition proved exactly why. Held at London’s The Steel Yard, the 19th instalment of the annual celebration brought together the artists, labels, venues and communities shaping the sound of Britain right now, turning one December night into a living snapshot of the scene’s present and future.
A Celebration Rooted in Community
At its core, Best of British has always been about more than trophies. It’s about recognising the ecosystem — the DJs in the booth, the producers behind the scenes, the MCs on the mic, the labels taking risks, and the grassroots spaces keeping culture alive.
That spirit was felt throughout the night, from the packed dancefloor to the carefully considered list of winners. Hosted by Emerald, the event balanced celebration with credibility, spotlighting success without losing touch with the underground foundations that define UK dance music.
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Interplanetary Criminal Takes the Crown
One of the night’s defining moments came with Interplanetary Criminal being named Best DJ. Already a central figure in the modern UK garage resurgence, his win felt both inevitable and earned — the result of years spent bridging underground integrity with mainstream reach, without compromising either.
It was a theme echoed across multiple categories: artists growing bigger while staying rooted.
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Breakthrough Energy, Across the Board
If one takeaway defined the 2025 awards, it was momentum. Silva Bumpa’s win for Breakthrough DJ captured the energy of a new generation refusing to be boxed in, while SHERELLE’s recognition as Breakthrough Producer highlighted an artist expanding beyond DJing into a fully realised creative force.
In the vocal categories, Window Kid and JayaHadADream delivered some of the most emotionally resonant wins of the night — stories of resilience, growth and authenticity that reminded everyone why representation and lived experience still matter deeply in club culture.
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Production, Albums and Timeless Records
The awards also paid tribute to craft. Sammy Virji’s Best Producer win underscored a year where UK garage-influenced sounds dominated clubs and festivals alike, while Maribou State’s “Hallucinating Love” taking Best Album honoured a record defined by vulnerability, warmth and musical depth.
From club-ready anthems to introspective long-form projects, the winners reflected the full emotional range of UK electronic music in 2025.
Clubs, Labels and the Spaces That Matter
Crucially, Best of British continues to recognise the infrastructure behind the music. The Loft (Manchester) winning Best Club and FUSE taking Best Club Event reinforced the importance of spaces that prioritise sound, community and consistency over trends.
On the label front, Pineapple Records and ROSSI.HOME//GRXWN. were celebrated for championing individuality and artistic freedom — proof that labels still play a vital role when driven by vision rather than volume.
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Honouring Legacy and Protecting the Future
Few moments drew as much respect as DJ EZ receiving the Outstanding Contribution award. Three decades into his career, his influence on UK garage — and the culture surrounding it — remains immeasurable. The honour felt less like nostalgia and more like recognition of a living legacy still shaping the present.
Equally powerful was Save Our Scene UK winning Underground Hero, a reminder that without grassroots venues, none of this survives. In a year marked by ongoing challenges for nightlife spaces, the award carried real significance.
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Why Best of British Still Matters
In an era where metrics often overshadow meaning, DJ Mag’s Best of British Awards continue to stand out by valuing contribution, culture and consistency. The 2025 edition didn’t just reflect who had the biggest year — it highlighted who is shaping the direction of UK electronic music at every level.
For artists, it was recognition.
For fans, it was affirmation.
And for the scene as a whole, it was proof that British electronic music remains as vital, diverse and forward-thinking as ever.One night. One room. An entire culture, celebrated properly.
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