WHEN they introduced genderless categories for this year’s awards, Brits bosses were hoping it would promote diversity.
But the move backfired — just as many predicted — with the Artist of the Year gong, which was won by Harry Styles, having no female artists in the running.
In response to the backlash, organisers have now revealed they are expanding the category to include ten nominations, rather than the current five.
Annual review
In a statement today, they confirmed they had made the change after “extensive consultation”, which was brought up as part of the Brit Awards’ annual review.
A source said: “The Brits’ decision to create genderless categories was huge and they’ve now tweaked it again to try to make it more inclusive.
“The move to go genderless was meant to be progressive, and by making this change they are hoping that it reflects this.” The International Artist of the Year gong is being widened to ten nominations, and bosses are also bringing in a new category.
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Next year’s bash will now see a dedicated R&B genre alongside the usual Alternative/Rock, Dance, Pop and Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap categories.
The eligibility period for R&B nominations will be extended from 12 months to 24 months.
This will allow artists who could have been in with a shout this year to be nominated again. I will admit I definitely had my reservations about genderless categories when I was first told of the Brits’ decision.
And, as I knew it would, the ceremony ended up marginalising female artists — which was the last thing they would have wanted.
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Move with the times
Ultimately, the Brits, which is by far my favourite awards night of the year, became more about criticism of the ceremony’s overlords and less about what really matters — the music.
We have to move with the times but really all I — and the viewers — actually care about is celebrating great artists and great music.
I just hope when the show comes back around on March 2 next year, this is what we’ll all be talking about.
