Great Britain’s favourite night of the year for music is soon to be upon us, as the Brit Awards 2022 creep ever closer. The nominees have been announced, with categories freshened up for the coming year in an attempt to improve balance and representation in the UK and wider music industry.
Gender neutral awards for 2022
There have been conversations about balance and representation for some time, and this year’s ceremony will see gendered categories revamped into new ones that are more music focused. While it’s been an ongoing issue that women are hugely underrepresented in music in general, the conversation has also opened up around those who don’t wish to be categorised with gendered labels at all – singer Sam Smith spoke up after being left out of this year’s awards, as the non-binary musician explained:
“I look forward to a time where awards shows can be reflective of the society we live in. Let’s celebrate everybody, regardless of gender, race, age, ability, sexuality and class.”
As a result, the next BRITS will include the new categories of ‘British Artist of the Year’ and ‘International Artist of the Year’ instead of gendering the categories. While this is certainly a timely and welcome change to many, there have actually only been 18 women nominated compared to the 48 men, showing we still have much more work to do in creating opportunities that are available to everyone.
The full list of nominees for all of the 2022 awards have been announced as:
Album of the year
Adele – 30
Dave – We’re All Alone In This Together
Ed Sheeran – =
Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under
Artist of the Year
Adele
Dave
Ed Sheeran
Little Simz
Sam Fender
Best group
Coldplay
D-Block Europe
Little Mix
London Grammar
Wolf Alice
Song of the Year
A1 & J1 – Latest Trends
Adele – Easy On Me
Anne-Marie, KSI & Digital Farm Animals – Don’t Play
Becky Hill & David Guetta – Remember
Central Cee – Obsessed With You
Dave ft Stormzy – Clash
Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
Elton John & Dua Lipa – Cold Heart (Pnau Mix)
Glass Animals – Heat Waves
Joel Corry, Raye & David Guetta – Bed
KSI – Holiday
Nathan & 220Kid & Billen Ted – Wellerman
Riton, Nightcrawlers & Mufasa – Friday
Tion Wayne & Russ Millions – Body
Tom Grennan – Little Bit Of Love
Best new artist
Central Cee
Griff
Joy Crookes
Little Simz
Self Esteem
Best international artist
Billie Eilish
Doja Cat
Lil Nas X
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift
Best international group
Abba
BTS
Måneskin
Silk Sonic
War On Drugs
Best international song
ATB / Topic / A7S – Your Love (9PM)
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Ckay – Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)
Doja Cat ft SZA – Kiss Me More
Drake ft Lil Baby – Girls Want Girls
Galantis, David Guetta & Little Mix – Heartbreak Anthem
Jonasu – Black Magic
Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber – Stay
Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
Lil TJ & 6lack – Calling My Phone
Måneskin – I Wanna Be Your Slave
Olivia Rodrigo – Good 4U
Polo G – Rapstar
Tiesto – The Business
The Weeknd – Save Your Tears
Brits Rising Star
Holly Humberstone – Since announced as the Winner
Bree Runway
Lola Young
Best dance
Becky Hill
Calvin Harris
Fred Again
Joel Corry
Raye
Best rock/alternative
Coldplay
Glass Animals
Sam Fender
Tom Grennan
Wolf Alice
Best pop/R&B
Adele
Dua Lipa
Ed Sheeran
Griff
Joy Crookes
Best hip-hop/grime/rap
AJ Tracey
Central Cee
Dave
Ghetts
Little Simz
The Brit Awards ceremony will take place in London on 8th February 2022, and we absolutely cannot wait – it’s refreshing to see such timely change taking place by those in positions of power and influence.
The show, which will be presented by the wonderful Mo Gilligan for the first time, will feature support from the fabulous Maya Jama and Clara Amfo co-presenting coverage live from the red carpet. The upcoming ceremony sounds like it is certainly shaping up to be a night to remember.
Also by Michelle Sciarrotta:
Accessibility At The Smith Center Series: Part One
James “Fitz” FitzSimmons Interview: The Boys In The Band On Netflix