The Brit Awards will be returning to our television screens on Wednesday the 20th of February to celebrate the very best in pop music over the last 12 months. Anne-Marie and Dua Lipa lead the charge this year with a total of 4 nominations apiece while George Ezra and Jorja Smith have notched up three nominations each.
The accessibility of music via streaming makes exploration of different artists and genres relatively frictionless, meaning award shows like the Brits are on the verge of being increasingly irrelevant. In some respects, the actual ceremony itself has taken a backseat in favour of electrifying live performances.
Last year Stormzy dominated headlines with his impassioned performance that incorporated a powerful Grenfell call-out of Theresa May’s government. It’s unlikely any of this year’s acts can live up to that iconic performance but the likes of Jorja Smith, George Ezra and Little Mix will give it their best shot. Calvin Harris will also be teaming up with his recent collaborators Dua Lipa, Rag’n’Bone Man and Sam Smith for a special collaborative performance on the night.
Live performances aside – here are SCAN’s predictions for who will be picking up a coveted BRIT’s statuette on the night.
British Album of the Year
The 1975 – ‘A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships’
A mere five years ago NME named the Manchester-bred band as the “Worst Band In the World”. Times have changed; NME is no longer in print but online-only offering lauded their third album as the “Millennial’s answer to OK Computer”.
That’s more than a slight exaggeration but the album does manage to showcase the band’s ingenuity and unrivalled ability to craft emotionally rich tracks that reflect the perplexingly ever-changing world we live in.
British Female Solo Artist
Anne-Marie
Her album ‘Speak Your Mind’ notably scored her the biggest debut album of the year. While it’s not exactly a genre-defining record, it’s a slick impeccably produced offering that shows there’s more to her than just infectious, chart-topping singles. Her collaborations with the stupidly popular Marshmello, Rudimental, David Guetta and James Arthur also serve as further evidence of why she deserves this award.
British Male Solo Artist
George Ezra
His breakout single ‘Budapest’ was inescapable for the entirety of 2014 and thrust him into the consciousness of millions worldwide. His, actually rather good, comeback track ‘Don’t Matter Now’ failed to trouble even the top 70 in 2017 but off the back of standout tracks ‘Shotgun’ and ‘Paradise’ his sophomore album topped the charts. In 2015 his four nominations amounted to nothing but it’s seriously unlikely he’ll be going home empty handed this year. Quite frankly, he deserves to win this award just for performing at the Sports Personality of the Year dressed as Gareth Southgate
British Breakthrough Act
Jorja Smith
The winner of this award is wholly determined by the public, making it perhaps one of the most interesting awards of the night. It’s also worth noting that in 2010 JLS won this award ahead of both Florence and The Machine and Friendly Fires, so literally anything can happen.
After winning the Brits Critics’ Choice award last year, she’s perfectly primed to win best breakthrough. Her excellent debut album “Lost & Found” received almost universal acclaim from critics, who praised the album’s style, composition and her incredible performance. Tom Walker or Idles could also end grabbing this award off the back of their astoundingly impressive years.
British Single
Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa – One Kiss
Given the fact that the duo will undoubtedly perform this track on the night, it’s seemingly impossible that this track won’t end claiming the accolade. In the unlikely event you haven’t heard this track, it’s basically exactly what you would expect from two of the biggest popstars in the world. The track brims with exuberant energy as Dua Lipa’s flawless vocal work guides the listener through Harris’ moody keys and distinctive house beats. The fact that this infectiously catchy track was the biggest selling single of 2018 is also unlikely to hinder its’ chances.
Here are SCAN’s predictions for the night’s other winners:
British Group
The 1975
British Video
Liam Payne and Rita Ora – For You
International Male Solo Artist
Travis Scott
International Female Solo Artist
Ariana Grande
International Group
Brockhampton
