Brit Awards: more women, more diversity

One of the nominees for the prestigious UK music award is British singer-songwriter Arlo Parks, whose real name is Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho. The acclaimed newcomer, who is one quarter Chadian, one quarter French and half Nigerian, released her debut album "Collapsed in Sunbeams" in 2021.

British-American artist Celeste began her career in 2014 as a voice featured in music by the late DJ Avicii, among others. Her debut album "Not Your Muse" was released this year, and has been nominated right off the bat. Not only do the Brit Awards feature more females this year, but are also more diverse: More than half of the nominees in the top categories are people of color.

The British-Kosovar singer-songwriter Dua Lipa is nominated in three categories this year. Since her debut album came out in 2017, she has regularly hit the top of the charts worldwide, picking up one award after another. This year, she has already won a Grammy for "Best Vocal Album – Pop."

This singer and music producer from the United States made history at the Grammys earlier this year when she won the award for her album "Folklore," making Swift the first woman to win album of the year three times. She had previously scored the title in 2010 and 2015. With all those awards in tow, Swift has high hopes for a Brit Award now. The award ceremony will be held May 11 in London.

British rapper J Hus is the only male candidate among the five nominees in the "Best Album" category this year. The coveted music awards are the British equivalent of the US Grammys. The acronym "Brit" is short for "British Record Industry Trust." The prize was introduced in 1977 to mark the Queen's silver jubilee on the throne, and has since been awarded annually since 1982.

Veteran rock star Bruce Springsteen is also in the running, competing in the Foreign Male Solo Artist category. He's up against against The Weeknd, Childish Gambino, Tame Impala and Burna Boy. With a career spanning half a century, he already has shelves full of trophies, including 20 Grammys as well as a 1994 Oscar for Best Song for "Streets of Philadelphia," featured in the movie "Philadelphia."

Last year, there was no Brit Award for Best International Group. However, the category has been reintroduced this year. The 2021 nominees include Korean boy band BTS (pictured), the Foo Fighters, Haim, Fontaines DC and Run The Jewels. The succesful seven-member Korean K-pop band is considered to be among the frontrunners.