Entertainment
Sam Smith criticises Brit Awards for keeping gendered categories: ‘Music for me has always been about unification’
Sam Smith has reacted to the Brit Awards keeping gendered awards for this year’s show.
The singer, who came out as non-binary in 2019 and uses they/them pronouns, has had previous success at the award show, having been presented with the critics choice award at the 2014 ceremony, as well as being named British breakthrough act and global success act in 2015.
Although the Brits have faced pressure to scrap the female/male categories, they have kept them for 2021 at least.
In a statement released to the Brits voters, they said: ‘Looking to the future we still have a lot of work to do in the coming years to evolve the Brits.
‘The process of change isn’t something that can be fixed in just one campaign and we are committed to working together with the industry to evolve the show to be as inclusive and relevant as possible.’
However, Sam, 28, has since criticised the Brits for not overhauling their male/female artist categories into one single award, as they argued that music is about ‘unification not division’.
Taking to Instagram, Sam shared a statement, in which they wrote: ‘The Brits have been an important part of my career, one of my earliest achievements was winning Critics Choice in 2014.
‘Music for me has always been about unification not division.
‘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.’
It comes after the BPI changed rules for the Brits and Mercury Music Prize to allow non-British passport holders who have lived in the UK for five years to be eligible for gongs.
This decision was made in part after singer Rina Sawayama, who was born in Japan, criticised the fact she was not eligible to be nominated for last year’s Mercury Prize, despite having lived in the UK for 26 years.
Rina, 30, holds indefinite leave to remain in the UK, but retains a Japanese passport to maintain ties with her family. As Japan does not allow dual citizenship, she cannot hold a British passport.
After fans got #SawayamaIsBritish trending on Twitter and musicians including Sir Elton John supported the campaign, the BPI held discussions with Rina, who convinced them to review their criteria.
She said of the changes in a statement posted on social media: ‘I’m over the moon to share the news that, following a number of conversations, the BPI has decided to change the rules.
‘Starting this year, artists (like me) will be eligible for nomination even without British citizenship.’
Rina alongside musicians Griff and Pa Salieu have all since been nominated for the rising star Brit Award at this year’s ceremony.
The award – which was previously known as the critics choice award – recognises the future superstars of British music, and the three nominees were selected by a panel of journalists, musicians and radio and TV bosses.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the Brit Awards for further comment.
The Brit Awards 2021 are scheduled to take place on May 11.
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