Brit Awards make changes to rules following controversy over lack of diversity

The organizers of the Brit Awards have announced that they will be updating their rules in response to criticism regarding diversity. The show garnered backlash earlier this year when it was revealed that no women were shortlisted for the best artist prize, which had replaced the previous gendered categories of best male and female. Harry Styles, who won the award, dedicated it to artists like Charli XCX who were overlooked. In an effort to address these concerns, the Brits will be expanding the number of nominees for the best artist prize from five to ten. This change is intended to create a more balanced field. Additionally, a new category for best R&B act will be introduced at the 2024 ceremony. Previously, R&B artists had to compete in a combined best pop/R&B category, which was dominated by mainstream stars. Singer Mahalia expressed her satisfaction with the changes, stating that it was a significant move. BBC 1Xtra's DJ Ace also commended Mahalia for her role in prompting the organizers to take action. The Brits confirmed that the inaugural best R&B prize would have an eligibility period of 24 months, instead of the usual 12, to ensure that artists who may have been overlooked in 2023 would still be eligible. The extended shortlist for artist of the year will also apply to the best international artist category. These changes were made as part of the annual review of the ceremony. The CEO of the awards organizers, the BPI, Dr Jo Twist, expressed disappointment at the lack of female representation in the artist of the year category in 2023. She reached out to various industry professionals and expert groups to gather insights on how to improve the inclusivity of the Brits. Dr Twist mentioned that this year is looking promising for female artists and R&B acts, with Dua Lipa, Raye, Mahalia, and PinkPantheress all eligible for multiple categories. Additionally, it was announced that British visual artist Rachel Jones will be designing the 2024 Brit Award Trophy. Previous artists who have designed the trophy include Damien Hirst, Vivienne Westwood, Sir Peter Blake, and Zaha Hadid. Jones described her design as an explosion of color, reflecting her visual language. The 2024 Brit Award ceremony will be held at London's O2 Arena on March 2 and will be broadcast live on ITV.