The BRIT Awards have announced the three artists shortlisted for the Rising Star award. Elmiene (Polydor/Def Jam US), Good Neighbors (Polydor) and Myles Smith (RCA) make up the all-male field of contenders. The winner will be announced on 5 December on BBC Radio 1 New music show with Jack Saunders.
This is only the second time the field of contenders has been made up entirely of male artists or groups. James Bay, George the Poet and Years & Years were the 2015 finalists.
The award is voted for by a panel of music journalists, heads of music at radio and music TV stations, songwriters, producers and live bookers. The award is open to British artists who have not yet achieved a place in the top 20 Official album Chartor achieved more than one top 20 single Official Singles Chart before October 31 of this year.
The Rising Star Award (previously called Critics' Choice) began in 2008 and was most recently collected by baroque pop group The Last Dinner Party. Previous winners include Adele, Sam Smith, Sam Fender, Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine, Griff and FLO, while Dua Lipa, Anne-Marie, Lewis Capaldi, Cat Burns, Michael Kiwanuka, Mabel and Years & Years have also been finalist. .
Elmiene released his latest EP, Anyway I canin October, combining his love of R&B, jazz and pop. He has performed at Glastonbury and collaborated with Stormzy, Syd, Sampha, BADBADNOTGOOD, A$AP Ferg and more, and recently headlined a 3,000 capacity show at London's Troxy.
Speaking about his nomination, Elmiene said: “If I could put into words what it feels like to be nominated, I would say it's like being completely satisfied with a meal you bought and then finding out it comes with dessert and a drink. I didn't know it could get any better.”
Myles Smith's single 'Stargazing' has been a major hit this year in the UK and abroad. The pop song, first released in May, reached No. 4 on the Official UK Singles Chart and reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Smith recently released his second EP, One minute…and had a first televised performance in the US Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In a press release, Smith said: “Growing up in Luton, I started playing in pubs and open mic nights when I was just 12 and music quickly became my way of making sense of the world and connecting with others. This recognition feels like a reflection of this journey – the highs, the challenges and the incredible people who have supported me along the way.”
Indie-pop duo Good Neighbors have had a triumphant year following their TikTok hit 'Home', which has surpassed 322 million streams on Spotify alone. The song reached No. 26 in the UK and climbed the Hot 100 for 11 weeks, peaking at No. 77.
The couple said of the nomination: “The British was always a huge dream for both of us growing up. We started Good Neighbors purely for fun, so to be up for a real BRIT Award at this stage in our career is the biggest honour. Thank you.”
The winner will be announced at the BRITs ceremony on March 1 at London's O2 Arena. The ceremony will be broadcast by ITV and ITV X.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/brits-rising-star-award-nominees-2025-1235838229/
