Brit Awards to scrap male and female categories in win for inclusivity

Next year, at the Brit Awards, the categories for best male and female artists will become one single prize for best British artist, in an effort to promote inclusivity.

“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,” said BRITs chair and Polydor Records co-president Tom March.

Artists like Sam Smith and Will Young had previously spoken on the need for change, saying the current system excludes non-binary artists.

Dua Lipa and J Hus won the best female and male artist awards.

Smith, who is non-binary, had missed out on a nomination at this year’s awards.

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Their album, Love Goes, reached number two in the UK chart, but they believed that they were unable to enter the gender-based categories.

“Music for me has always been about unification, not division. I look forward to a time where awards shows can be reflective of the society we live in. Let’s celebrate everybody, regardless of gender, race, age, ability, sexuality and class,” Smith wrote in a since-deleted post.

The change will also be expressed in the international category. The best international male and female artist awards will now be just the best international artist.

This year, it was won by The Weeknd and Billie Eilish.

Many people on social media are in support of the changes, saying that the awards should have always been about the artists’ talent - and not their gender.

Four new genre award categories will also be implemented to highlight the various types of popular music: dance act, pop/R&B act, alternative/rock act, and hip-hop/grime/rap act.

All four of the categories will be voted on by the public.

The Brit Awards are set to take place on Feb. 8, 2022, at London’s O2 arena and will be hosted by comedian Mo Gilligan.