The UK Music wins are due to be held this Saturday and are facing criticism due to a lack of representation from female and gender neutral artists in the headline categories.
Crowned with their victories at the American Grammys on February 5, British popstar Harry Styles and “Queen” Beyoncé are the big favorites in London on Saturday evening where they should win the main rewards of the Brit Awards, British music victories.
With its pipe As It Was, Harry Styles is nominated in four categories: song of the year, album of the year, best pop album and artist of the year. In this last gender-neutral category, we already know that the prize will be awarded to a man because no woman is included, which has caused disappointment and criticism.
Absence of women and non-binary people
The Brit Awards ceremony in 2022 got rid of the distinctions “man” and “woman” in order to reward artists “only for their work and their music”.
It was the British singer Adele who then won this flagship award. But this year, five male artists are vying for this prestigious trophy: Central Cee, Fred Again, George Ezra, Harry Styles and Stormzy.
If the absence of women or non-binary people is “disappointing”, the organization of the Brits justified itself, believing that it was necessary “to recognize that we have seen in 2022 fewer high-level female artists with major releases.
On social media, the announcement caused an uproar, with many internet users expressing their disappointment.
“So the Brits are setting up a gender-neutral category (…) but this year the five nominees are guys,” quipped Tim Burgess, lead singer of The Charlatans, on Twitter.
And to lament: “one step forward, three steps back.”
Beyoncé in the lead
In the best international artist category, however, it is a woman who is the favorite: Beyoncé, who a week ago became the most crowned artist of all time at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. She is in the running against two other Americans, Taylor Swift and Lizzo, as well as Kendrick Lamar and the Nigerian Burna Boy.
The ceremony is to be broadcast live on the ITV channel on Saturday from 8.30 p.m. GMT.
British rap star Stormzy – named in three categories – is expected to perform on stage, as are Harry Styles, David Guetta, Lizzo and English band Wet Leg, named in four categories.
