Brit Awards 2021: Female acts lead nominations after ceremony slammed for male dominance

 This year’s Brit Awards is dominated by women. (Courtesy)

This year’s Brit Awards is dominated by women with Dua Lipa, Arlo Parks and Celeste receiving three nominations each.

All three artists receive nods in the coveted Mastercard Album of the year category - in stark contrast to last year’s ceremony, where the category was criticised for only featuring men.

For the first time in the history of the Brit Awards, 4/5 of the Album of the year nominees are female, with Jessie Ware’s What’s Your Pleasure also in the running.

J Hus is the only male contender with Big Conspiracy.

Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia, Celeste’s Not Your Muse and Arlo Parks’ Collapsed in Sunbeams will compete for the honour at the May 11th ceremony, held at London’s O2. Jessie Ware and Lianne La Havas are also nominated in the Female Solo Artist category.

The Male Solo Artist nominees this year are AJ Tracey, Headie One, J Hus, Joel Corry and Yungblud.

Young T & Bugsey and Joel Corry also have three nominations apiece.

At last year’s Brits, the Album of the year category featured entirely male nominees, and was won by rapper Dave.

Singer Mabel was the only female artist nominated in mixed gender categories in 2020 - a shortlist of 25 slots.

The British Group nominees were also all men in 2020, prompting winners Foals to say on stage while collecting their award: “Hopefully next year we’ll see some more women in this category.”

Female trio Little Mix feature in the 2021 British Group nominees amongst the otherwise male lineup of Bicep, Biffy Clyro, The 1975 and Young T & Bugsey.

 Little Mix.

It comes after organisers decided against combining gendered categories, after previous winner Sam Smith said they identified as non-binary.

There were suggestions of merging the male and female categories, but critics included former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan, who said women would lose recognition at the male-dominated ceremony.

Dua Lipa and Brits Rising Star winner Griff will perform at this year’s event.

Dua Lipa, who has previously won three Brit Awards, said: “I am so excited to be returning to perform for you all at The BRITs this year. It’s going to be truly special to be back on stage in the UK.”

Singer Griff, who hosted the nominations announcement alongside Nick Grimshaw, said: “Guys, pray for me!! I’m going to be in a room full of the biggest and best artists in the world, singing my little heart out. I can’t wait!!!!”