Kojey Radical takes Trailblazer prize at Billboard UK's first 40 Under 40

Kojey Radical has received the Trailblazer Award at Billboard U.K.'s inaugural 40 Under 40 honours event.

The presentation was made on Oct. 7 in Salford. The ceremony gave the new industry list its first on-stage moment. It put an artist known for sold-out shows in the same room as the executives who work behind them.

The venue was MediaCity outside Manchester. The event formed part of the official programming for Beyond the Music, the industry conference and showcase week. The 2026 edition of Beyond the Music runs from Oct. 6 to 9 in Salford, Greater Manchester. That placed the awards inside four days of panels, meetings and performances.

Radical was the night's featured artist honouree. He sold out London's Royal Albert Hall in spring 2026. He has released his second LP, Don't Look Down, his second full-length album. An LP, or long-playing record, is the industry term for a full album rather than a single or short EP.

That album is now in line for further recognition. Don't Look Down is shortlisted for the Mercury Prize, the annual award for the best album from the United Kingdom and Ireland. It will compete at the ceremony in Newcastle on Oct. 22, as reported by Billboard. The nomination keeps Radical in front of audiences through the autumn.

The 40 Under 40 list itself looks away from the stage. Billboard U.K. revealed the 2026 line-up on Oct. 5. The inaugural list celebrates executives aged under 40 working at major music institutions. That covers record labels, music publishers and the distribution and live teams that carry a release from studio to listener.

Among those named were Tom Coulson-Smith and Jamie Herron. The pair are BMG executives. Their places on the inaugural list were confirmed by BMG. The announcement was among the early confirmations from the 40-strong roll call.

On the night in Salford, speeches gave way to live music. London band Bank Holiday performed after Radical's acceptance speech. Billboard U.K. editor Thomas Smith leads the publication behind the awards.

For fans, this means two dates to keep in mind. Oct. 7 brought the Salford presentation and the Trailblazer Award. Oct. 22 brings the Mercury Prize ceremony in Newcastle, where Don't Look Down will be judged alongside the year's other shortlisted albums.