Y
2016
2016 in British Music
David Bowie's farewell, Stormzy's rise, and the year music mourned and moved on.
Key Events
- •David Bowie releases Blackstar and dies two days later — a staggering artistic farewell
- •Stormzy's debut Gang Signs & Prayer goes gold before release on pre-orders alone
- •The 1975's I Like It When You Sleep cements them as Britain's biggest band
Dominant Genres
PopGrimeIndieElectronic
Notable Trends
- →Artist deaths (Bowie, Prince, George Michael) prompt collective mourning
- →Grime becomes Britain's defining youth culture sound
- →Vinyl revival gathers pace — sales at 25-year high