BRITS SCRAP GENDERED CATEGORIES 

The BRIT Awards have scrapped their gendered categories to make the show as inclusive and relevant as possible. In addition, there will be four new genre awards for 2022’s ceremony.

In March Sam Smith, who identifies as non-binary, highlighted the issue by not being eligible for inclusion. The BRITs responded by saying the categories were very much “under review.”

“It is important that The BRITs continue to evolve and aim to be as inclusive as possible,” Tom March, BRIT Chair and Co-President of Polydor Records, said. “It feels completely the right time to celebrate the achievements of artists for the music that they create, and the work that they do, irrespective of gender."

Artist of the Year will replace the British Male Solo Artist and British Female Solo Artist awards, while International Artist of the Year will replace the same gendered international categories. The four new genre awards are: Alternative/Rock Act, Pop/R&B Act, Dance Act and Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act.

Moreover, Breakthrough Artist has become Best New Artist and “British” has been removed from the categories Group of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year. There will also be honorary awards for Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

The 2022 BRIT Awards will take place 2/8 at The O2 Arena in London. Nominations will be announced in December.