Nia Archives Makes History with Three BRIT Award Nominations, Shines a Light on Jungle Music

Beatport Next Artist Nia Archives has made history as the first jungle artist to earn three BRIT Award nominations, solidifying her place as a trailblazer in electronic music.

donsergioalonso
2 min •
Jan 24, 2025
Nia Archives artist cover 16x9

In a landmark moment for the jungle music genre, Nia Archives has become the first artist to secure three BRIT Award nominations. The Yorkshire-born DJ, producer, and singer-songwriter is up for Best Dance Act and Artist of the Year in 2025, alongside her previous nomination for Best New Artist in 2023. This breakthrough not only highlights Nia’s exceptional talent but also reflects a growing recognition of jungle music within the UK’s mainstream music scene.

Nia’s nominations come during a pivotal time for the BRIT Awards, which have historically overlooked jungle and drum-and-bass artists in major categories. Aside from Roni Size’s 1998 breakthrough and Chase & Status’ 2024 win for Producer of the Year, the genre has been underrepresented. Nia’s achievement, therefore, marks a significant step toward greater inclusivity, and she acknowledges the importance of this moment for the jungle community. “Such a proud moment for jungle music,” Nia said. “Big up all the original and new-gen junglists out there.”

Born in Leeds and now based in London, she has drawn deeply from her Jamaican heritage and the soundsystem culture that shaped her early life. Influenced by legends like Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Nina Simone, she infuses her music with a blend of old-school rave, UK garage, gospel, and jazz. Her tracks, such as “Forbidden Feelingz” and “So Tell Me…,” reflect her signature style: emotionally resonant lyrics wrapped in frenetic, euphoria-inducing jungle rhythms.

Her journey to this historic moment has been defined by a combination of raw talent and hard work. In 2022, she was selected as part of the Beatport Next program, an initiative designed to elevate emerging artists by providing them with resources and exposure. Her inclusion in the program, alongside other rising stars, helped establish her as a name to watch in the jungle and drum-and-bass genres. During the same year, she was also featured in Beatportal’s “Introducing” series, which provided additional exposure to her unique sound.

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Nia’s meteoric rise is also bolstered by her live performances, which have earned her a devoted global fanbase. Last year, she released her debut album, Silence is Loud, a critically acclaimed project featuring hits like “Crowded Roomz” and “Unfinished Business.” The album has taken her on a whirlwind world tour, which she’ll conclude this month with headline shows in Melbourne and Auckland. Her performances are known for their high-energy, immersive vibe, with Nia seamlessly balancing her roles as a producer, DJ, and vocalist.

Looking ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be another transformative year for Nia. In addition to her BRIT nominations, she will headline the Love Saves the Day festival in Bristol, bringing her electrifying junglist sound to close out the bank holiday weekend. She’s also working on her next project, hinting at fresh music that will build on her already impressive discography.

Nia Archives’ journey is a testament to the power of Beatport Next in identifying and nurturing emerging talent. With applications now open for the 2026 class, her success story serves as a compelling example of what can be achieved with the right opportunities and support.

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