The annual BRIT Awards is set to take place at the O2 Arena on 21 February 2018 but with a known lack of diversity, is this the year for change?
In 2016, the BRIT Awards was heavily criticised by viewers due to its lack of diverse nominations. That year, only four out of 48 artists nominated were people of colour with none nominated in any major category. This caused a social media outcry with the #BritsSoWhite dominating Twitter timelines.
Plenty of talent on show but no getting away from it – never mind nominations look who’s at the tables. One begets the other #BritsSoWhite
— Krishnan Guru-Murthy (@krishgm) 24 February 2016
As a result, the BRIT Award committee responded and made some changes in the Voting Academy. While it meant the voter’s made up a 52:48 ratio of men and women, people of colour in the academy still made up only 17%.
Nonetheless in 2017 nominations for artists of colour rose, with the likes of Skepta, NAO, Stormzy, Craig David and few more up for the awards, yet many of them went home empty handed.
However, this year there is already a big change. For the first time in the British Breakthrough category, a white male artist has not been nominated. Up for nomination are rappers who have made profound impact on UK rap in 2017, including J Hus, with three nominations in total, and Dave. Hip Hop artist Loyle Carner is also up for the award along with soul singer Sampha whose debut album Process received worldwide critical acclaim and pop singer Dua Lipa.
Won’t lie I’m GASSED, nominated for 3 #BRITs just being nominated is BIG for me. Thank you to all my supporters ❤️❤️❤️🏆 pic.twitter.com/XMBLyJkCVJ
— J HUS (@Jhus) 13 January 2018
In addition to this, the BRITs have already honoured Jorja Smith in December, awarding her the 2018 Critics Choice Award.
Brits Critics Choice For 2018 🌹Still Speechless pic.twitter.com/pSZK1VDVb0
— JMoney (@JorjaSmith) 14 January 2018
The smooth, alternative soul singer really made her mark in 2017, featuring on two Drake tracks and gaining millions of streams on singles Beautiful Little Fools and Teenage Fantasy and not to forget her collaboration with House and Garage producer Preditah. So it’s really no surprise that the Walsall singer’s success has translated into her earning the award.
Stormzy has also been nominated again for the second time in a row. This time with two nominations, British Male Solo Artist and British Album of the Year and will also be performing on the night.
2 Brit Nomination’s, Best Male & Best Album, thank you guys and thank God. Perfect start to the year🙏🏿❤️ pic.twitter.com/bCFJKMwHMq
— #GSAP (@Stormzy1) 14 January 2018
Though many will point that the proof is in the pudding, these nominations are still a step in the right direction, recognising the talents from more artists of colour.
The full list of nominees:
British male solo artist
Ed Sheeran
Liam Gallagher
Loyle Carner
Rag ‘N’ Bone Man
Stormzy
British female solo artist
Dua Lipa
Jessie Ware
Kate Tempest
Laura Marling
Paloma Faith
British group
Gorillaz
London Grammar
Royal Blood
Wolf Alice
The xx
British breakthrough act
Dave
Dua Lipa
J Hus
Loyle Carner
Sampha
Critics’ choice
Jorja Smith – Winner
Stefflon Don
Mabel
British single
Calvin Harris ft Pharrell / Katy Perry / Big Sean – Feels
Clean Bandit ft Zara Larsson – Symphony
Dua Lipa – New Rules
Ed Sheeran – Shape of You
J Hus – Did You See
Jax Jones ft Raye – You Don’t Know Me
Jonas Blue ft William Singe – Mama
Liam Payne ft Quavo – Strip That Down
Little Mix – Touch
Rag ‘N’ Bone Man – Human
British album of the year
Dua Lipa – Dua Lipa
Ed Sheeran – Divide
J Hus – Common Sense
Rag ‘N’ Bone Man – Human
Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer
British artist video of the year
Anne-Marie – Ciao Adios
Calvin Harris ft Pharrell / Katy Perry / Big Sean – Feels
Clean Bandit ft Zara Larsson – Symphony
Dua Lipa – New Rules
Ed Sheeran – Shape of you
Harry Styles – Sign of the Times
Jax Jones ft Raye – You Don’t Know Me
Liam Payne ft Quavo – Strip That Down
Little Mix – Touch
ZAYN and Taylor Swift – I Don’t Wanna Live Forever
International male solo artist
Beck
Childish Gambino
DJ Khaled
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
International female solo artist
Alicia Keys
Bjork
Lorde
Pink
Taylor Swift
International group
Arcade Fire
Foo Fighters
Haim
The Killers
LCD Soundsystem
Brits Global Success Award
TBC
British Producer of the Year
Steve Mac – Winner
What do you think?
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