The 2025 BRIT Awards nominations have sparked excitement as Charli XCX leads with five nods, affirming her status as one of the most influential pop artists today. Following her is Dua Lipa with four nominations, highlighting the fiercely competitive nature of this year’s event.
Charli XCX’s latest album, Brat, has taken the music world by storm, becoming a cultural phenomenon over the past summer. The Essex-born singer made history with her vibrant release, as millions of fans engaged with her unique Apple Dance on TikTok. Her nominations include coveted categories such as Album of the Year, Song of the Year for "Guess" featuring Billie Eilish, Artist of the Year, Dance Act, and Pop Act.
Dua Lipa is also making waves this year. Known for her previous seven BRIT wins, the pop sensation has been nominated for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year with Radical Optimism, and Song of the Year for her hit "Training Season." Both artists are set to compete not only against each other but also against rising stars and established acts like Beabadoobee, Central Cee, and Jade, who are all vying for the prestigious titles.
Notably, the BRIT Awards will feature the Last Dinner Party, last year’s Brits rising star winners, who received nominations for Album of the Year alongside Best New Artist and Group of the Year. The acclaimed jazz quintet, Ezra Collective, also makes their BRIT debut with four nominations, striving to make their mark on the awards scene.
Adding to the legacy of the event, The Beatles have returned to contention after nearly 50 years, with their song "Now & Then" receiving a nod for Song of the Year. This marks their first nomination since the inaugural BRIT Awards in 1977, generating considerable nostalgia and excitement among fans.
The voting process for this year’s genre awards will incorporate public involvement via WhatsApp, allowing fans to vote from January 31 until February 14. Launching this new initiative, Damian Christian, managing director of Atlantic Records, expressed pride: “This year’s nominations showcase what incredible, diverse talent we have here in the U.K. Partnering with WhatsApp for the first time will add excitement to the voting process and bring fans closer to the show.”
This year’s ceremony will also address past criticisms surrounding the male bias of nominees, with the Artist of the Year category showcasing equal representation of female and male artists. Notably, this year features ten artists instead of the five competing from previous years. Artists making history by achieving nominations include Jade Thirlwall, recognized for her song "Angel of My Dreams" and acknowledged for her evolution as a solo artist after previously winning awards with the group Little Mix.
Meanwhile, Myles Smith, who recently won the Brit Rising Star award, sees himself nominated for three accolades, including Song of the Year for his hit "Stargazing," which boasts over 600 million streams. He expressed excitement about attending the BRIT Awards for the first time, saying, “Last year I was watching it on TV and to be there this year is something I am so looking forward to.”
Despite the star-studded nominations, notable exclusions include Ariana Grande, who failed to receive nominations for either International Artist of the Year or International Song of the Year, marking her absence from the spotlight. The awards are set to return to the O2 arena on March 1, 2025, hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, who returns for his fifth year, promising yet another entertaining presentation.
This year’s nominations are reflective not only of the stars they celebrate but also of the dynamic and changing environment of the British music scene. The BRIT Awards stand as both a celebration and recognition of the artists influencing audiences worldwide.