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Brit Awards admits lack of female nominations in artist of the year category is ‘disappointing’ but defends decision after major backlash-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

‘2022 saw fewer high profile women artists in cycle with major releases,’ they said.

Brit Awards admits lack of female nominations in artist of the year category is ‘disappointing’ but defends decision after major backlash-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Harry Styles leads this year’s noms, with four to his name (Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Harry Styles)

After immense backlash to the lack of female nominations this year, the Brit Awards has responded.

Despite the ceremony’s new approach for 2023, which saw it scrap gendered categories, fans have been left raging after no women were recognised in the coveted artist of the year category.

Instead, only male nominees have been shortlisted for the honour: Central Cee, George Ezra, Harry Styles, and Stormzy.

Therefore, after Adele won the gong last year and since British female solo artist and British male solo artist are no more, she will remain the only woman to have won the trophy until at least 2024.

Music lovers have been voicing their anger since the news was announced, branding it ‘extremely disappointing’ and ‘a joke.’

Now, the Brits have addressed the criticism, defending their decision to Metro.co.uk.

Stormzy, George Ezra, Central Cee, and Harry have been nominated as artist of the year (Picture: David M. Benett/Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

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‘While it’s disappointing there are no nominations in the artist of the year category, we also have to recognise that 2022 saw fewer high profile women artists in cycle with major releases as was the case in 2021,’ a spokesperson said.

They continued: ‘Last year’s introduction of new categories aimed at making the awards even more inclusive, recognising exceptional work rather than how artists identify. It saw women artists thrive, winning 10 of the 15 awards on the night and Adele being crowned inaugural artist of the year.

‘We are pleased to see Wet Leg leading the nominations with four nods and FLO winning the Rising Star, and artists such as Nova Twins also included in this year’s shortlists, and while it’s disappointing there are no nominations in the artist of the year category, we also have to recognise that 2022 saw fewer high profile women artists in cycle with major releases as was the case in 2021.’

Rock band Wet Leg received four noms after a stellar year (Picture: Redferns)

The spokesperson concluded that ‘these trends based around the release schedule are a feature of the music industry’ but if, over time, a pattern emerges, ‘then this puts the onus on the industry to deal with this important issue.’

They claimed the BPI is ‘already carrying out a major study to identify barriers that may inhibit more women becoming successful in music, so that there can be solutions that result in meaningful change.’

This is far from the first time the Brits has been called out for a lack of female representation.

Little Mix remain the only girl band to have scooped the best group gong (Picture: JMEnternational/JMEnternational for BRIT Awards/Getty Images)

This isn’t the first time the Brits has been called out for lack of diversity (Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images)

For example, to this date, Little Mix are the only girl band to have won in the best group category.

The prestigious music awards have faced further criticism after failing to nominate any R&B artists in the new best pop/R&B category.

Artists who did make the cut were Charli XCX, Dua Lipa and Cat Burns – all three of whom haven’t released any new original music this year – as well as As It Was hitmaker Harry and Sam Smith.

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Former One Direction heartthrob Harry leads this year’s noms with four to his name, while rock band Wet Leg also have four.

Also nominees include Blackpink – the only Korean pop group nominated – as well as The 1975, Calvin Harris, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Lizzo, and Becky Hill.

The Brit Awards 2023 will air live on Saturday, February 11 at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Brit Awards nominees 2023

Song of the Year

Aitch and Ashanti – Baby

Cat Burns – Go

Dave – Starlight

Ed Sheeran and Elton John – Merry Christmas

Eliza Rose and Interplanetary Criminal – B.O.T.A. (Baddest of Them All)

George Ezra – Green Green Grass

Harry Styles – As It Was

Lewis Capaldi – Forget Me

LF System – Afraid To Feel

Sam Smith and Kim Petras – Unholy

Best New Artist

Kojey Radical

Mimi Webb

Rina Sawayama

Sam Ryder

Wet Leg

Artist of the Year

Central Cee

Fred again..

George Ezra

Harry Styles

Stormzy

Group of the Year

The 1975

Arctic Monkeys

Bad Boy Chiller Crew

Nova Twins

Wet Leg

International Group of the Year

Blackpink

Drake & 21 Savage

First Aid Kit

Fontaines D.C.

Gabriels

Best Pop/R&B Act

Cat Burns

Charli XCX

Dua Lipa

Harry Styles

Sam Smith

Best Rock/Alternative Act

The 1975

Arctic Monkeys

Nova Twins

Tom Grennan

Wet Leg

Best Dance Act

Becky Hill

Bonobo

Calvin Harris

Eliza Rose

Fred again..

Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act

Aitch

Central Cee

Dave

Loyle Carner

Stormzy

International Artist of the Year

Beyoncé

Burna Boy

Kendrick Lamar

Lizzo

Taylor Swift

International Song of the Year

Beyoncé – Break My Soul

David Guetta and Bebe Rexha – I’m Good (Blue)

Fireboy DML and Ed Sheeran – Peru

Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz and cast of Encanto – We Don’t Talk About Bruno

Gayle – abcdefu

Jack Harlow – First Class

Lizzo – About Damn Time

Lost Frequencies and Calum Scott – Where Are You Now

OneRepublic – I Ain’t Worried

Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero

MasterCard British Album of the Year

The 1975 – Being Funny in a Foreign Language

Wet Leg – Wet Leg

Harry Styles – Harry’s House

Stormzy – This Is What I Mean

Fred again.. – Actual Life 3


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