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18 December 2021 6:54 PM

Adele, Dave and Little Simz lead nominations at revamped BRIT Awards

The annual ceremony has dropped gendered categories for the first time in its history

By Nick Reilly

Adele poses for Rolling Stone
Adele poses for Rolling Stone (Picture: Theo Wenner)

Adele, Dave, Ed Sheeran and Little Simz have topped the nominations at the Brit awards, as the ceremony ditches gendered categories for the first time.

They have all gained four nods, including the new “artist of the year” category that has been introduced to replace the traditional awards for “British male” and “British female”. Sam Fender joins all four in the category, alongside their nods for album of the year.

This year, new categories have also been added to recognise significant achievements in alternative/rock, hip-hop/grime/rap, dance, and pop/R&B.

The show’s new changes were introduced last month and came after the 2021 awards were criticised by non-binary artist Sam Smith, whose fluid gender identity meant they failed to bag a nomination in the male or female artist categories.

Fender, who graced the first ever cover of Rolling Stone UK earlier this year, said: Completely overwhelmed and honoured to be nominated for 3 (!!) BRIT awards alongside so many incredible artists. Album of the Year is the absolute dream, there’s been so many amazing records out this year so I’m just buzzing to be in amongst it. I’m sure it will be a wild night.”

Other major names to secure nominations include Dua Lipa in the pop/R&B and song of the year categories, but there are also a number of significant debut nods.

Self Esteem is up for best new artist after her second album ‘Prioritise Pleasure’ was released to widespread acclaim, while Little Simz is also present in that category.

Elsewhere, the Rising Star award goes to Holly Humberstone – whose victory was first announced earlier this month.

She exclusively told Rolling Stone UK of the honour: “It hasn’t sunk in yet at all.

“I’ve not really been sleeping since I found out I was nominated,” she explains. “It was so cool to even be nominated, but I was just shit-scared and nervous about the results. Honestly, I’m just pinching myself.”

You can check all the nominations in full below.

Album of the year

  • Adele – 30
  • Dave – We’re All Alone In This Together
  • Ed Sheeran – =
  • Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
  • Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under

Artist of the Year

  • Adele
  • Dave
  • Ed Sheeran
  • Little Simz
  • Sam Fender

Best group

  • Coldplay
  • D-Block Europe
  • Little Mix
  • London Grammar
  • Wolf Alice

Song of the Year

  • A1 & J1 – Latest Trends
  • Adele – Easy On Me
  • Anne-Marie, KSI & Digital Farm Animals – Don’t Play
  • Becky Hill & David Guetta – Remember
  • Central Cee – Obsessed With You
  • Dave ft Stormzy – Clash
  • Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
  • Elton John & Dua Lipa – Cold Heart (Pnau Mix)
  • Glass Animals – Heat Waves
  • Joel Corry, Raye & David Guetta – Bed
  • KSI – Holiday
  • Nathan & 220Kid & Billen Ted – Wellerman
  • Riton, Nightcrawlers & Mufasa – Friday
  • Tion Wayne & Russ Millions – Body
  • Tom Grennan – Little Bit Of Love

Best new artist

  • Central Cee
  • Griff
  • Joy Crookes
  • Little Simz
  • Self Esteem

Best international artist

  • Billie Eilish
  • Doja Cat
  • Lil Nas X
  • Olivia Rodrigo
  • Taylor Swift

Best international group

  • Abba
  • BTS
  • Maneskin
  • Silk Sonic
  • War On Drugs

Best international song

  • ATB / Topic / A7S – Your Love (9PM)
  • Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
  • Ckay – Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)
  • Doja Cat ft SZA – Kiss Me More
  • Drake ft Lil Baby – Girls Want Girls
  • Galantis, David Guetta & Little Mix – Heartbreak Anthem
  • Jonasu – Black Magic
  • Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber – Stay
  • Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
  • Lil TJ & 6lack – Calling My Phone
  • Maneskin – I Wanna Be Your Slave
  • Olivia Rodrigo – Good 4U
  • Polo G – Rapstar
  • Tiesto – The Business
  • The Weeknd – Save Your Tears

Brits Rising Star

  • Holly Humberstone – Winner
  • Bree Runway
  • Lola Young

Best dance

  • Becky Hill
  • Calvin Harris
  • Fred Again
  • Joel Corry
  • Raye

Best rock/alternative

  • Coldplay
  • Glass Animals
  • Sam Fender
  • Tom Grennan
  • Wolf Alice

Best pop/R&B

  • Adele
  • Dua Lipa
  • Ed Sheeran
  • Griff
  • Joy Crookes

Best hip-hop/grime/rap

  • AJ Tracey
  • Central Cee
  • Dave
  • Ghetts
  • Little Simz

Producer of the year

Announced in January 2022

Songwriter of the year

Announced in January 2022

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