Britain’s pop music honours, the BRITs, will get rid of its female and male categories from next year, introducing gender-neutral awards for local and international artists, organisers said on Monday.
Performers will now be in the running for artist of the year or international artist of the year at the annual ceremony, which will next take place on Feb. 8, 2022.
“It is important that The BRITs continue to evolve and aim to be as inclusive as possible,” new BRITs chair and Polydor Records Co-President Tom March said in a statement.
“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.”
But when Harry Styles won musician of the year this year and no female artists were nominated, it caused outrage.
There was more parity in the field of nominees for worldwide artist of the year, as Beyonce defeated Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Burna Boy, and Kendrick Lamar.
But worries persisted that, in an effort to be more inclusive, the glass ceiling had been pushed farther for female performers.
Consequently, the number of nominees selected for British and international artist of the year will rise from five to ten at the Brit Awards the following year.
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