FEATURE:
The BRIT Awards 2018
IN THIS PHOTO: Dua Lipa/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
The Nominations Playlist
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EMMA Willis announced the nominations for…
IN THIS PHOTO: Emma Willis/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/Next
this year’s BRIT Awards yesterday. The biggest revelation from those announcements was the fact Dua Lipa is the most-nominated artist. She has been nominated for a total of five categories: Best Female Solo Artist, Best Breakthrough Act; Best Single (for New Rules), British Album of the Year (for Dua Lipa) and British Artist Video of the Year (New Rules). It is a great haul for the newcomer – who enjoyed a stellar 2017. She scooped a rare number-one for New Rules last year – and the first female artist to do so since Adele’s Hello in 2015 – and impressed critics with her eponymous debut album. That record boasted instant Pop songs with big choruses and plenty of hooks. It is not a surprise to see her gain so many nominations: Ed Sheeran got four nods and, given the year he had (last year); it is a shock to see him overtaken. The ceremony will take place on 21st February and we will see whether Dua Lipa can win all five awards. I have seen the categories and I would expect her to walk away with three awards: Best Breakthrough Act, Best Single and Best Artist Video of the Year. New Rules broke ground – and rules! – so it should be the odd-on-favourite to win the singles category. The video for New Rules is not as innovative as her latest (IDGAF). She should still walk away with that prize - as it is an integral part of the record-breaking song. Stormzy’s Gang Signs & Prayer is, rightly, nominated in the album category – I fancy that to pip Dua Lipa – whilst Jessie Ware seems like a more sensible choice for the Best Female Solo Artist award.
Sheeran will probably win the Best British Male Solo Artist award but I do not fancy him to win any of the others – he has an album, song and video nomination, too. It will be a big night for Dua Lipa: it will be an important one for female artists. In a year where forecasters have predicted a Pop storm; the balance-shift of genres and genders – it could not be a male-heavy ceremony that put the spotlight on someone like Ed Sheeran. Let’s hope the hype and buzz translate to awards for Dua Lipa. She is an example of a modern Pop artist with more guts and vocal variation than most of her peers. Even though she has an army of producers and writers helping her music get to the masses: I fancy she will step out on her own in future albums and establish herself as a stunning songwriter. The night will see Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Sam Smith play – Rag’n’Bone Man is tipped to play, in addition (he is nominated in three categories). Dua Lipa and Foo Fighters will play at the awards; with President Trump gaining a record level of unpopularity in the U.K., many hope that will see the fiercest and boldest nominees (Liam Gallagher and Stormzy) spout-off and let him have it!
IN THIS PHOTO: Liam Gallagher/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
Say you want about the BRIT Awards – they are not seen as credible and relevant as other options; too focused on the mainstream and Pop – but there is a good mix of artists on show! I am pleased for artists like Dua Lipa but more interested in other acts who have gained nominations. Maybe Dua Lipa will be crowned best female but she is up against stellar competition: Kate Tempest, Laura Marling; Paloma Faith and Jessie Ware are all strong and popular artists who could win it. The British males on show will include Liam Gallagher, Stormzy; Loyle Carner and Ed Sheeran (with Rag’n’Bone Man). I hope Loyle Carner wins as I loved his album, Yesterday’s Gone, and feel he is one of the strongest newcomers on the block. Let’s hope Wolf Alice win in the British Group segment. The xx and Gorillaz are worthy adversaries but Royal Blood (a duo rather than a group; overrated) and London Grammar (disappointing second album) should be seen as outsiders – although I have a feeling Royal Blood might win! Those are the only categories where the ‘cooler’ and more credible British artists could get a say. When it comes to albums, singles and videos – that is likely to go to a Pop act. Sampha is nominated as one of the best breakthrough acts: Dua Lipa is likely to get that, one would imagine.
IN THIS PHOTO: HAIM/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
The international nominations always excite me – even though the BRIT Awards are noted for recognising British artists! I would think Kendrick Lamar will scoop International Male (Beck and Childish Gambino are strong rivals) whilst the group category has Arcade Fire and HAIM among its nominees. Lorde and Björk are nominated for International Female and, whilst I feel Björk should win every award she is up for – I was more impressed by Lorde’s sophomore record (Melodrama) and feel she warrants the gong. It is good to see a lot of female musicians nominated; although, British Breakthrough Act has one female nominee (Dua Lipa); Dua Lipa is the only woman nominated in the album category – HAIM are the only all-female group nominated for International Group. The O2 will play host to the event and, when the winners to the ten categories are announced; we should see some pretty special happenings – I know Dua Lipa will have a big night regardless of the number of awards she takes home. I really would like artists like Liam Gallagher and Stormzy to whip up some excitement and controversy – the thing becomes too boring and conservative if someone is not swearing, throwing stuff around and slandering a politician! It will be an exciting night and, as the Playlist below shows; the music nominated is certainly varied and cross-genre! Let us see who goes away with the most statues on the night. The BRIT Awards always create some sort of news so, as 2018 has just got underway; I hope one (or more) artist can…
IN THIS PHOTO: Stormzy/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
DO something special.