Burna Boy up for 2021 BRIT Award

First held in 1977 and simply referred to as ‘the BRITs’, the awards platform is the British Phonographic Industry’s annual celebration of popular music. Traditionally held in February, the ceremony has this year been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The list of nominations, which was made public on Wednesday, saw the Nigerian singer shortlisted in the International Male Solo Artist category for the second consecutive year alongside The Weeknd, Bruce Springsteen, Childish Gambino and Tame Impala.

At last year’s edition, Burna Boy joined British-Ghanaian act Stormzy for a performance of the latter’s ‘Own It‘.

The development adds to Burna Boy’s impressive streak of accomplishments this year. It comes days after the ‘Ye’ hitmaker was bestowed with the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State medal in his home town of Port Harcourt. It also arrives on the back of Burna Boy’s historic Grammy win last month.

Meanwhile, the Brit Award for Rising Star, which was announced last month, saw Gambian-British rapper Pa Salieu, who won BBC Music’s Sound of 2021 in January, lose out to singer songwriter Griff. 

“In my head, I’m still screaming from the phone call when I found out,” Griff said. “It’s honestly such a miracle. How on earth did we manage to win a BRIT and breakthrough during a pandemic?”

Other nominees of African descent include Stormzy, Headie One, KSI and J Hus, whose sophomore studio album Big Conspiracy is nominated for Best Album.

Comedian Jack Whitehall will host the 2020 ceremony for the fourth year running, equalling a record set by fellow funny man James Corden.

Below is the full list of nominees:

International Male

• Bruce Springsteen
• Burna Boy
• Childish Gambino
• Tame Impala
• The Weeknd

Best Album

• Collapsed In Sunbeams – Arlo Parks
• Not Your Muse – Celeste
• Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa
• Big Conspiracy – J Hus
• What’s Your Pleasure? – Jessie Ware 

Best British Single

• Don’t Need Love – 220 Kid & Gracey
• Rain– Aitch & AJ Tracey ft. Tae Keith
• Physical – Dua Lipa
• Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles
• Ain’t It Different – Headie One ft. AJ Tracey & Stormzy
• Head & Heart – Joel Corry ft MNEK
• Lighter – Nathan Dawe ft. KSI
• Secrets – Regard with Raye
• Rover – Simba ft. DTG
• Don’t Rush – Young T & Bugsey ft. Headie One

Best British Female

• Arlo Parks
• Celeste
• Dua Lipa
• Jessie Ware
• Lianne La Havas

Best British Male

• AJ Tracey
• Headie One
• J Hus
• Joel Corry
• Yungblud

Best British Group

• Bicep
• Biffy Clyro
• Little Mix
• The 1975
• Young T & Bugsey

Breakthrough Artist

• Arlo Parks
• Bicep
• Celeste
• Joel Corry
• Young T & Bugsey

International Female

• Ariana Grande
• Billie Eilish
• Cardi B
• Miley Cyrus
• Taylor Swift

International Group

• BTS
• Fontaines DC
• Foo Fighters
• Haim
• Run The Jewels

Rising Star Award

• Griff – Winner
• Pa Salieu
• Rina Sawayama