BRIT Awards to introduce gender-neutral categories at 2022 show
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LONDON : 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."
The BRITs follow in the footsteps of other awards shows or
events that have removed gender classifications.
In September, the San Sebastian Film Festival handed out its
first ever gender-neutral acting award, for best leading performance, to joint
winners Jessica Chastain and Flora Ofelia Hofmann Lindahl.
Next year's BRITs, the 42nd edition of the awards show, will
also extend nominations to featured artists in the coveted song of the year
category. Until now, only lead artists or named collaborators were recognised
as nominees for the prize.
Four new genre awards will also be introduced to showcase a
range of music styles: alternative/rock act, hip-hop/grime/rap act, dance act
and pop/R'n'B act. All four will be voted for by the public.
British comedian Mo Gilligan will host the show, while
artistic team Block9 will help with the design.
"The BRIT Awards are not just a celebration of British
music, they are a reflection of British culture," said Geoff Taylor, chief
executive of the British Phonographic Industry and BRIT Awards.
"The changes we are making for the 2022 show should mean more new fans, more engagement and a bigger global platform than ever for our amazing artists."
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