The nominations for this year’s Brit Awards have been revealed – and after Brat summer, now we have a Brat Brits.The singer, whose sixth album was a viral hit last year, leads the nominations with five nods, including artist of the year, album of the year and song of the year for her hit Guess, with Billie Eilish.Brat, which featured simple “slime green” artwork, was a huge hit for Charli xcx, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison – inspiring everyone from presidential candidate Kamala Harris to the Collins Dictionary, which made it its word of the year for 2024.In the Brits race, she is closely followed by Dua Lipa, who opened the 2024 ceremony and also headlined Glastonbury last year, who has four nominations – along with 2024 rising star winners The Last Dinner Party, and 2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective.
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Dua Lipa opened the ceremony last year. Pic: Oscar Douglas
This year also sees a nomination for The Beatles – their first since 1977 – for the song Now And Then, which was finished by Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr with the help of audio restoration and released in November.And more than 30 years since their last Brits nomination, The Cure are back with three – following the release of their 14th album, Songs Of A Lost World, in 2024.Elsewhere, there are nominations for international artists such as Beyonce, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Kendrick Lamar and Sabrina Carpenter, as well as homegrown talent such as Central Cee, Fred again.., Sam Fender and former Little Mix star JADE.
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The Beatles released Now And Then in 2024. Pic: Apple Corps Ltd
Read more:What is Brat?How has pop music changed over the years?It is also a great year for Myles Smith, who has already been named the winner of this year’s rising star award, which recognises up-and-coming musicians at the start of their career and is always announced ahead of the ceremony.He is also up for three other gongs on the night – best new artist, song of the year – for Stargazing – and best pop act.”Music has always been about connecting with people, and to see it resonate on this level is incredible,” Smith said of the rising star win.
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Myles Smith is this year’s rising star winner – and also up for three other awards. Pic: JM Enternational
The winners of the songwriter and producer of the year awards will also be announced ahead of the show in the coming weeks, organisers said.Comedian Jack Whitehall is returning to host this year’s ceremony, which takes place at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday 1 March.It will be his first time at the helm in four years, but fifth in total, after taking on the role for four consecutive years from 2018 to 2021.Last year’s ceremony saw singer-songwriter Raye dominating, with a record number of wins.
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Ezra Collective. Pic: Connie Rose
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