Artist News Awards

BRITs 2018 nominations announced

By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 15 January 2018

The BRIT Awards nominations are out, ahead of next month’s ceremony. I always find that’s the best way around to have those things. That year when they announced the nominations six months after the event is one I think we’re all happy to forget.

The big news is that Dua Lipa has managed to score five nominations, despite her music having no discernible personality and just being a collection of songs that simply happen and then stop. Behind her is Ed Sheeran, who has four nominations, plus J Hus and Rag N Bone Man, who have three apiece. All four of them, inexplicably, are up for Best British Album.

As the solo careers of the former members of One Direction slowly emerge, we’re still talking about how they fare against each other, despite the group having split up about 700 years ago now. Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Liam Payne are all up for Best Video. Payne has also somehow managed to get a Best Single nomination for ‘Strip That Down’, which just makes a mockery of the whole thing.

In other rivalry news, Liam Gallagher has one nomination and Noel Gallagher has none. That seems about the right balance, as Liam’s solo album was just about bearable and Noel’s latest effort was like stabbing yourself in the ear repeatedly.

“So I hear I’ve been nominated for British Male Solo Artist at the BRITs this year – YOU GOTTA BE IN IT TO WIN IT”, tweeted Liam. Of his brother, he added: “So the creepy one gets blanked at the BRITs. Oh well, was looking forward to hurling abuse at him and his poshos from across the room. I know I’m not gonna win, just pointing out to the gobshite who said nobody gives a fuck what Liam Gallagher thinks”.

Putting a more positive spin on things, Sony Music UK boss and Chair of the BRITs, Jason Iley, says: “This year’s nominations are representative of an exciting, genre spanning and vibrant year in British music with a strong mix of established acts alongside new and emerging artists who are set to become the big names of the future”.

The show will take place at the O2 Arena in London on 21 Feb, as well as being broadcast live on ITV1. Obviously, I can’t wait for the big night and will diligently consume every second of it. Meanwhile, here are all the nominations, not one of them deserved:

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

International Male Solo Artist: Beck, Childish Gambino, DJ Khaled, Drake, Kendrick Lamar

International Female Solo Artist: Alicia Keys, Björk, Lorde, P!nk, Taylor Swift

International Group: Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters, Haim, The Killers, LCD Soundsystem

British Single Of The Year: Calvin Harris feat Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, Big Sean – Feels, Clean Bandit feat Zara Larsson – Symphony, Dua Lipa – New Rules, Ed Sheeran – Shape Of You, J Hus – Did You See, Jax Jones feat Raye – You Don’t Know Me, Jonas Blue feat William Singe – Mama, Liam Payne feat Quavo – Strip That Down, Little Mix – Touch, Rag N Bone Man – Human

British Video Of The Year: Anne-Marie – Ciao Adios, Calvin Harris feat Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, Big Sean – Feels, Clean Bandit feat Zara Larsson – Symphony, Dua Lipa – New Rules, Ed Sheeran – Shape Of You, Harry Styles – Sign Of The Times, Jonas Blue feat William Singe – Mama, Liam Payne feat Quavo – Strip That Down, Little Mix – Touch, Zayn and Taylor Swift – I Don’t Wanna Live Forever

Album Of The Year: Dua Lipa - Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran – Divide, J Hus – Common Sense, Rag N Bone Man – Human, Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer