Nominations for the BRIT’s Rising Star Award have been announced
Today, the BRITs announced that its panel of voters have selected pop artist Holly Humberstone, genre-bending singer Bree Runway, and voice of 2021’s John Lewis Christmas advert, Lola Young, for the Rising Star Award.
Originally known as the Critics’ Choice Award, previous winners have included Adele, Sam Smith, Griff, Florence + The Machine, Ellie Goulding, and Sam Fender.
The BRIT’s panel, made up of music editors and critics from the national press, online music editors, heads of music at major radio and music TV stations, plus songwriters, producers and live bookers, were tasked with selecting artists who had not had more than one single in the top 20 charts or an album in the top 20 before the 31st of October this year.
Holly Humberstone (21), with almost 2.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, combines alt-pop sounds, songwriting rooted in her upbringing, and inspirations including Frank Ocean, Lorde and Bon Iver. Her recent EP, The Walls Are Way Too Thin, was called a “soul-baring triumph” by music publication NME.
Bree Runway (29) was told at the age of 14 to ‘keep going’ with her craft by Michelle Obama after performing for her. Later in life, when music started to become a serious career for the artist, Runway began receiving support from other names such as Rihanna and Missy Elliot. The artist was previously nominated for a Mobo award earlier this year for her single, Hot Hot. Bree Runway also covered HUNGER’s 2020 DIY Issue.
Lola Young (21) is the singer behind this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert. The South London artist began writing at the age of 11 and then graduated from the BRIT school. Now, Young has received backing from the likes of Jo Wiley, Clara Amfo, Annie Mac, as well as performing on James Cordon’s The Late Late Show and Later… With Jools Holland.
The winner of the BRIT’s Rising Star Award will be announced on the 10th of December, with the BRITs themselves taking place on the 8th of February 2022 at the O2 Arena.
