Announced on Thursday 14 January, the Brit Awards nominations for 2016 have simultaneously fulfilled expectations and thrown up some surprises. Adele, as anticipated, leads the charge of British artists with one nomination, including the prestigious Mastercard British Album of the Year, after her latest album 25 broke multiple records in selling over two and a half million copies during its first six weeks. Last year’s Brits’ Critics’ Choice Award winner James Bay also returns with aplomb, receiving four nominations including British Male Solo Artist and British Album of the Year. Jess Glynne, who equalled Cheryl Fernandez-Versini’s record of five number one UK singles in a year in 2015, is also up for gongs including British Breakthrough Act and British Single, but faces stiff competition in her nomination for British Female Solo Artist.
Other notable nominations include former British Female Solo Artist winner Amy Winehouse’s second posthumous nomination for that same award, following the release of the soundtrack to Asif Kapadia’s Grammy-nominated documentary Amy. Up for Best International Group are Californian outfit Eagles of Death Metal, who are recognised for their dignity and admirable spirit in the face of the tragic events at the Bataclan in Paris that shook the world on 13th November. In that category, they will face iconic Irish rockers U2, who invited the band to play with them in Paris in an emotional performance just one month later.
Two artists featured in Coggles’ albums of 2015, Kendrick Lamar and Father John Misty, are acknowledged for their respective exceptional albums with nominations for International Male Solo Artist. The International Female Artist category is equally intriguing, placing creative maverick Björk up against Australian newcomer Courtney Barnett. Meanwhile, there is no room on the album shortlist for Ellie Goulding, whose third studio record Delirium was also her highest-charting and looked set to bring her Brits success.
The awards’ event will take place at the 02 in London on 24th February and will be hosted by double act Ant and Dec. A moving tribute to the late David Bowie is expected, and there will also be live performances from several nominees including Adele, Justin Bieber, James Bay, Jess Glynne, Coldplay, the Weeknd and Little Mix.
THE BRIT AWARDS 2016 NOMINATIONS IN FULL:
British Male Solo Artist
Aphex Twin
Calvin Harris
James Bay
Jamie xx
Mark Ronson
British Female Solo Artist
Adele
Amy Winehouse
Florence + the Machine
Jess Glynne
Laura Marling
British Group
Blur
Coldplay
Foals
One Direction
Years & Years
British Breakthrough Act
Catfish and the Bottlemen
James Bay
Jess Glynne
Wolf Alice
Years & Years
Mastercard British Album of the Year
Adele – 25
Coldplay – A Head Full of Dreams
Florence + the Machine – How Big How Blue How Beautiful
James Bay – Chaos and the Calm
Jamie xx – In Colour
British Producer of the Year
Charlie Andrew
Mark Ronson
Mike Crossey
Tom Dalgety
British Single
Adele – Hello
Calvin Harris and Disciples – How Deep Is Your Love
Ed Sheeran and Rudimental – Bloodstream
Ellie Goulding – Love Me Like You Do
James Bay – Hold Back the River
Jess Glynne – Hold My Hand
Little Mix – Bad Magic
Olly Murs ft Demi Lovato – Up
Philip George – Wish You Were Mine
Years & Years – King
British Artist Video of the Year
Adele – Hello
Calvin Harris and Disciples – How Deep Is Your Love
Ed Sheeran – Photograph
Jessie J – Flashlight
Little Mix – Black Magic
Naughty Boy ft Beyoncé and Arrow Benjamin – Runnin’ (Lose it All)
One Direction – Drag Me Down
Sam Smith – Writing’s on the Wall
Years & Years – King
International Male Solo Artist
Drake
Father John Misty
Justin Bieber
Kendrick Lamar
The Weeknd
International Female Solo Artist
Ariana Grande
Björk
Courtney Barnett
Lana del Rey
Meghan Trainor
International Group
Alabama Shakes
Eagles of Death Metal
Major Lazer
Tame Impala
U2
Words by Liam Roberts. Image property of The Brits
