The Brit Awards organizers have announced that they plan to amend their rules in response to concerns regarding diversity.
Award-winner Harry Styles dedicated his career to underappreciated artists like Charli XCX. The Brits have decided to up the number of nominees from five to ten in response to criticism regarding the dearth of female candidates for the Best Artist Prize.
This action follows criticism of the show in January when it was revealed that no female artists had been shortlisted for the award, which had replaced the categories for the best male and female performers two years prior.
Mahalia expresses over the modification of rules
This change is intended to promote more level playing fields. At the 2024 ceremony, a new category honoring the best R&B act will also be added. R&B performers used to have to compete in a combined best pop/R&B category, which was frequently dominated by well-known celebrities like Dua Lipa and Harry Styles.
Singer Mahalia showed her displeasure at the 2023 Brits by wearing a Burberry jacket with the phrase “Long Live R&B” painted on the back.
She gave her approval of the changes to BBC News, saying, “When I found out, I literally screamed on the phone. This is very significant.” She went on, “I was disappointed for the next generation of R&B kids, who were going to think a Brit nomination was impossible when the [combined] category got announced a couple of years ago.
That’s how I was feeling, too. I’m not sure how I’ll stand out on a longlist among all of these renowned pop artists. My first response to the change was, therefore, one of pure joy and pride.”
DJ Ace of BBC 1Xtra spoke on new R&B award category
Mahalia was not alone, as DJ Ace of BBC 1Xtra, who hosts a weekly R&B-focused show, pointed out. He said, “The current moment is incredibly exciting for R&B,” citing performers that would be eligible for the new award, including Flo, Ella Mai, and Cleo Sol.
Ace brought attention to the comeback of feel-good music, noting the notable rise in R&B and Afrobeats. He acknowledged that Mahalia had persuaded the organizers to alter their course.
“Even though it might have hurt her career, wearing that jacket sent a powerful message. In the music business, defying convention isn’t always the norm, but she had a point, and she made it known. That they’ve noticed excites me.”
The Brits on making changes
The Brits have revealed modifications to their award system, including the addition of a new category for the best R&B act and an increase in the number of nominees for specific categories.
The action was taken in response to complaints about the prior nominees’ lack of diversity. The extended shortlist will be applicable to the Artist of the Year and Best International Artist categories, and the Best R&B Act prize will have an eligibility period of 24 months.
The modifications are a result of an annual review with the goal of making the Brits more representative of the industry and inclusive. British visual artist Rachel Jones, who is renowned for her vivid and abstract designs, will create the 2024 Brit Award Trophy.
The event will take place at London’s O2 Arena on March 2, 2024, and will be televised live on ITV.
More about The Brits award
The British Phonographic Industry presents the annual music awards known as the BRIT Awards, or simply the BRITs.
After being adopted as a backronym for the British Record Industry Trusts Show, it was first known as a shortened version of “British,” “Britain,” or “Britannia” (first supported by Britannia Music Club).
The Classic BRIT Awards are an additional awards ceremony for classical music that takes place in May. Under the direction of the BPI, the trade group for the British record industry, the awards were first presented in 1977 and turned into an annual occasion in 1982.
They were formally renamed The BRIT Awards in 1989. The event has long been sponsored by Mastercard.
