Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Girl power helps right wrongs of past Brits
The Brits haven’t had this much girl power since Geri Halliwell wore a Union Jack dress in 1997.
This year’s awards are dominated by female artists. Dua Lipa, Arlo Parks and Celeste each have three nods.
They are all on the shortlist for the best album category. And – for the first time ever – four in five of the album of the year nominees are women.
Last year the category was criticised for only featuring men.
Jessie Ware, whose album What’s Your Pleasure? is also in the running, said: “The time is now – albeit long overdue – to start respecting and appreciating the vital role women play in the British music industry.”
J Hus is the only male contender with Big Conspiracy. It will compete for the award alongside Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia, Celeste’s Not Your Muse and Arlo Parks’ Collapsed in Sunbeams at the May 11 ceremony set for the O2 arena in London.
Jessie and Lianne La Havas are also nominated in the female solo artist category. Radio host Nick Grimshaw and singer Griff announced the nominees.
The male solo artist nominees are AJ Tracey, Headie One, J Hus, Joel Corry and Yungblud.
At 71, international male solo nominee Bruce Springsteen
stands out in a youthful bunch.
The British group nominees were all men in 2020. This year, Little Mix feature alongside the otherwise male line-up including Biffy Clyro and The 1975.
Arlo Parks won’t get to keep an award even if she wins one. She says: “My mum would commandeer it and put it beside her bed.”