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  • Charlie Taylor
    • Jan 14, 2017
    • 5 min read

The BRITS Have Redeemed Themselves With Their 2017 Nominations


This past year for British music has been so diverse in what people are listening to. It's not just the usual rock bands and Adele. People are broadening their horizons and it is great to see.

But regardless of what people listen to, its sad when award shows don't reciprocate that diverse taste. The purpose of award shows is hazy, but for me I just like a balance. Alright give Adele and Arctic Monkeys all the awards. If you think they're the be all and end all, fine. I'll politely disagree. What I don't like is when you shun people from even getting a chance at an award like last year.

Similar to #OscarsSoWhite, the BRITS had their own hashtag. Stormzy even took shots on a freestyle. But unlike the Oscars, the BRITS took immediate action and switched up the voting system. With that news I went into this year semi-optimistic but still thinking that the artists I love won't get the love from the people that apparently matter.

But, ladies and gentlemen. The BRITS must've read my article on my 2017 BRIT Awards expectations. Because the nominations have dropped today and I am pleasantly surprised! They have done quite well. Sure there's the odd mainstream pick that you roll your eyes at but overall it's not bad a list! And since Michael Buble is hosting and not any God awful "presenters" I might actually watch the broadcast this year!

Okay let's break the list down. Starting with:

British Male Solo Artist

  • David Bowie

  • Craig David

  • Kano

  • Michael Kiwanuka

  • Skepta

I am a big fan of awards shows, music and film alike. But there's rarely a time where I look at a set of nominations and say "I don't mind whoever wins". Honestly they all deserve it. Now because of what I call the "Posthumous Push" it'll probably be Bowie but personally I would pick Michael Kiwanuka. If the BRITS swerve the "Posthumous Push" then it will be Craig David but like I said. I will clap whoever wins this. Perfect representation of 2016.

British Female Solo Artist

  • Anohni

  • Ellie Goulding

  • Lianne La Havas

  • NAO

  • Emeli Sande

Ah why do this to me?! If you read my Top 10 Albums of 2016 you will know that I couldn't pick between NAO's "For All We Know" and Emeli Sande's "Long Live The Angels". Now NOT ONLY have they nominated my favourite women of the past year, they have also thrown in Lianne La Havas! This is painful. I will defer because I love all three for different reasons. I'm not educated on Anohni but as a result of a hasty Google search I have learned that she was nominated for a BRIT before. 11 years ago, for Best British Male...

Back to the list I'll be happy if it was either Queen Emeli or Princess' NAO or La Havas. Ellie Goulding can kick rocks.

British Group

  • The 1975

  • Bastille

  • Biffy Clyro

  • Little Mix

  • Radiohead

I won't spend much time on this. This is a Hip-Hop centred site after all. I guess Radiohead because they consistently get critical love. I'd laugh if it was Little Mix.

British Breakthrough Act

  • Anne-Marie

  • Blossoms

  • Rag N Bone Man

  • Skepta

  • Stormzy

Now I'm confused about this. How is Skepta a "Breakthrough Act"? He's been around for years. I find it a bit backwards that you nominate him in this category just because your voters in previous years have refused to notice him. I hope Skepta wins and unloads on the BRITS for disrespecting him.

British Single

  • James Arthur - Say You Won't Let Go

  • Clean Bandit ft Louisa Johnson - Tears

  • Coldplay - Hymn For The Weekend

  • Jonas Blue ft Dakota - Fast Car

  • Calvin Harris ft Rihanna - This Is What You Came For

  • Little Mix - Shout Out To My Ex

  • Callum Scott - Dancing On My Own

  • Tinie Tempah ft Zara Larsson - Girls Like

  • Alan Walker - Faded

  • Zayn - Pillowtalk

One of the mainstream awards. I couldn't care less. If I had to pick it'd be Tinie Tempah but I don't even think "Girls Like" is his best song on his upcoming album "Youth". I liked "Mamacita". But oh well.

British Video of the Year

  • Adele - Send My Love (To Your New Lover)

  • James Arthur - Say You Won't Let Go

  • Clean Bandit - Rockabye

  • Jonas Blue ft Dakota - Fast Car

  • Coldplay - Hymn For The Weekend

  • Calvin Harris ft Rihanna - This Is What You Came For

  • Little Mix - Hair

  • One Direction - History

  • Tinie Tempah ft Zara Larsson - Girls Like

  • Zayn - Pillowtalk

Again. Couldn't care less. It's a shame they're just giving this award away to a popularity contest. The people vote for this one so I'll defer. At least the MOBO's and Grammys pick music videos with actual creativity. But no BRITS couldn't care less and since they don't neither will I. Moving on!

International Male Solo Artist

  • Bon Iver

  • Leonard Cohen

  • Drake

  • Bruno Mars

  • The Weeknd

I hope Leonard Cohen gets this. Just so Drake doesn't. If they vote Cohen it will send the best of messages. That song writing is still valued. Don't get blinded by the millions of dollars mainstream artists these days rack up. Vote for musical artistry please.

International Female Solo Artist

  • Beyoncé

  • Christine and the Queens

  • Rihanna

  • Sia

  • Solange

Well this is clear cut. Beyoncé. Done. Next!

International Group

  • A Tribe Called Quest

  • Drake & Future

  • Kings of Leon

  • Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

  • Twenty-one Pilots

Pump ALL THE BRAKES. When was Drake & Future a group? And how dare you put them in the same category as Tribe. They're NOT A GROUP! They're a collaboration. The others are groups. Drake & Future are not. I hope Tribe wins but honestly I just hope Drake & Future don't win.

Mastercard Album of the Year

  • The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep...

  • David Bowie - Blackstar

  • Kano - Made in the Manor

  • Michael Kiwanuka - Love & Hate

  • Skepta - Konnichiwa

Anybody noticed that Adele isn't in the running?! What an effort to break away from the mould BRITS look at you! Now like the male solo award, probably more prevalent in this category. The "Posthumous Push" will give Bowie the win. It's even better that Blackstar is critically loved as some of his best work. I'd personally pick Michael Kiwanuka but I won't be mad if they go with Bowie.

So there you have it! It is clear that the BRITS have made an effort on praising artistry & passion instead of mainstream chart music & musicians. Other than the Drake & Future slip up I'm not mad about this year's BRIT Awards and for once I'm genuinely looking forward to the ceremony.

#CraigDavid #Kano #MichaelKiwanuka #Skepta #LianneLaHavas #NAO #EmeliSande #Stormzy #TinieTempah #Drake #ATribeCalledQuest #2017BRITAwards