Having shaken up its judging panel and overhauled many of its processes, recent years of The BRIT Awards—one of the biggest awards ceremonies for British music—have seen a marked improvement for diversity, and that’s especially true of this year.
Leading the charge for this years’ nominations are Arlo Parks, Celeste, Dua Lipa, Young T & Bugsey, and Joel Corry. Close behind are Headie One, AJ Tracey, J Hus and Jessie Ware. The Critics’ Choice Award, which has been won by the likes of Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, Adele and Jorja Smith in the past was rebranded as the Rising Star Award a few years ago. Last year’s winner, Celeste, is up for Album Of The Year (Not Your Muse), Best Female Solo Artist and Best Breakthrough Act.
This year’s Rising Star winner has already been announced as 20-year-old pop singer-songwriter Griff, who beat out the likes of Rina Sawayama and Pa Salieu.
Delayed from its usual February date by the pandemic, this year’s ceremony takes place on May 11 at London’s O2 Arena.
The full list of nominees are below.
Mastercard British Album of the Year
Arlo Parks – Collapsed In Sunbeams
Celeste – Not Your Muse
Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
J Hus – Big Conspiracy
Jessie Ware – What’s Your Pleasure?
Male Solo Artist
AJ Tracey
Headie One
J Hus
Joel Corry
Yungblud
Female Solo Artist
Arlo Parks
Celeste
Dua Lipa
Jessie Ware
Lianne La Havas
Group
Bicep
Biffy Clyro
Little Mix
The 1975
Young T & Bugsey
Breakthrough Act
Arlo Parks
Bicep
Celeste
Joel Corry
Young T & Bugsey
Single
220 Kid & GRACEY – “Don’t Need Love”
Aitch & AJ Tracey feat. Tay Keith – “Rain”
Dua Lipa – “Physical”
Harry Styles – “Watermelon Sugar”
Headie One feat. AJ Tracey and Stormzy – “Ain’t It Different”
Joel Corry feat. MNEK – “Head & Heart”
Nathan Dawe feat. KSI – “Lighter”
Regard & RAYE – “Secrets”
S1MBA feat. DTG – “Rover”
Young T & Bugsey feat. Headie One – “Don’t Rush”
International Male Solo Artist
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Childish Gambino
Tame Impala
The Weeknd
International Female Solo Artist
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Cardi B
Miley Cyrus
Taylor Swift
International Group
BTS
Fontaines D.C.
Foo Fighters
HAIM
Run The Jewels
BRITs Rising Star
Griff
Pa Salieu
Rina Sawayama
