Nigerian music superstars, Asake and Burna Boy have been nominated for this year’s BRIT Awards

The organisers revealed this in a statement shared on its official website on Wednesday.

Asake and Burna Boy were nominated in the International Artist of the Year category.

Shortly after his Grammy win, Burna Boy’s Twice As Tall album was also nominated for the 2021 BRIT Awards.

According to the statement, “The International Artist of the Year category is another immense showdown of global talent; with nominees Asake, Burna Boy, Caroline Polachek, CMAT, Kylie Minogue, and Lana Del Rey.

“Others include Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA and Taylor Swift. Olivia, Miley, and SZA are also all nominated for International Song of the Year.”

Damian Christian, Managing Director and President of Promotions at Atlantic Records (part of Warner Music UK) and Chair of the BRIT Committee for 2024 said, “This year’s BRIT nominees really highlight the incredible breadth and diversity within British music.

“From breaking artists to returning greats, and with artists spanning so many genres, this year’s shortlist really feels like it has it all.”

2024

The winners – who will each receive an award designed this year by visual artist and painter Rachel Jones – will be revealed at The BRIT Awards with Mastercard on Saturday, 2nd March at The O2 arena, broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX.

The statement read partly, “For 2024, The BRITs increased the number of nominees for both Artist of the Year and International Artist of the Year from five to ten.

“This change is aimed at improving representation and inclusion.

“More than half (55%) of the 2024 BRITs nominations feature women – either as a solo artist or as part of an all-woman group.

“This figure rises to 57 per cent when including women in mixed-gender groups.

“A new genre award category R&B Act has been introduced for 2024, which along with Alternative/Rock Act, Dance Act, Pop Act, Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, collectively showcase the versatility, creativity and diverse styles of music in the UK.

“The winners of the genre awards will be determined by a public vote exclusively through Instagram, which will open on Thursday 1st February at 12 noon and close on Thursday, February 15, at 6pm.”

BRIT Awards in history

Launched in 1977, the BRIT Awards with Mastercard are the annual showcase for the UK music industry.

The BRIT Awards along with its sister events Classic BRITs and BRITs Icon celebrate not just the biggest successes in music

It also operates as an important platform to introduce and promote new talent.

Once the nominations are out, the buzz and excitement escalate in the weeks leading up to what is the biggest event in the British music industry’s calendar.

Artistes are interviewed, and the internet is alive with speculation as to who will win what, but the hive of activity behind the scenes is equally intense.