Could one of this year’s rising star acts be the next Adele? (Picture: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
This year might not be over yet but the awards season for early 2025 is hotting up – and Brit Awards preparations are already underway.
The prestigious music awards, which were introduced in 1977 and have run annually since the early 1980s, are set to take place on March 1, 2025.
In 2024, it was a big year for English singer-songwriter and rapper Raye, who took home gongs in the best album and best song categories.
My 21st Century Blues – her second album overall – beat stiff competition from the likes of Blur and Little Simz, as well as J Hus and Young Fathers.
Eyes in the industry were also focused on the rising star category, which has been won in the past by Adele, Ellie Goulding, Florence Welch, Sam Smith, and Sam Fender, among others.
In 2024, the honour went to The Last Dinner Party, whose debut album Prelude to Ecstasy went to number one around the time of their big win.
Whose turn could it be this year?
Elmiene
Born and raised in Oxford, Elmiene has had quite the last few years, working with some of the biggest names in the industry and even having his music featured on Louis Vuitton shows.
And now he’s nominated for a Brit Award. So, how does he feel? ‘I’m extremely grateful to be nominated for the Rising Star award.’
He continued: ‘If I could put the feeling of being nominated into words, I would say it’s like being completely satisfied with a meal you bought and then finding out it comes with dessert and a drink.’
Having already worked with names like Stormzy, Elmiene – whose real name is Abdala Elamin – ‘didn’t know it could get any better.’
But it might be about to on March 1, 2025. He’s gone from recording covers on TikTok to the Brit Awards in almost no time at all.
Good Neighbours
What started off as ‘a bit of fun’ has resulted in an indie pop band having the most streamed debut single globally from a new artist this past year.
That song, Home, has been streamed over 322million times on Spotify alone and reached the top 30 on the UK singles chart in 2023.
Good Neighbours is made up of Oli Fox and Scott Verrill and has supported the likes of Benson Boone and Foster the People in recent years.
In a statement, they said the nomination was a dream come true: ‘The Brits have always been a huge dream for both of us growing up.
‘We started Good Neighbours purely for the fun of it, so to be up for an actual Brit award at this stage in our career is the biggest honour. Thank you.’
Myles Smith
Luton-based Myles Smith has been playing guitar ever since he was nine years old, and that hard work paid off during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He started uploading covers to TikTok and was soon spotted by Sony, who signed him to their RCA label in 2023 after success on social media.
Myles has said: ‘Growing up in Luton, I started playing pubs and open mic nights when I was just 12, and music became my way of understanding the world and connecting with others.
‘This recognition feels like a reflection of that journey—the highs, the challenges and the incredible people who’ve supported me along the way.’
Myles, whose song Stargazing has 32million views on YouTube, continued: ‘Thank you for seeing me, for listening, and for believing in the music. It means the world.’
Who has won the Rising Star award in the past?
Adele won the award at the very beginning of her career (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
The rising star Brit Award has gone to some huge names in previous years, with the likes of Adele, Florence Welch, Ellie Goulding, and Sam Smith all winning the award.
Adele won it in 2008, beating competition from Duffy and Foals, while Florence won it from Little Boots and White Lies in 2009.
In the 2010s, Ellie Goulding was victorious over Delphic and Marina and the Diamonds, before Jessie J beat James Blake and The Vaccines in 2011.
Michael Kiwanuka and Maverick Sabre lost out to Emeli Sande in 2012, before AlunaGeorge and Laura Mvula finished 2nd and 3rd behind Tom Odell in 2013.
The likes of Years & Years, Dua Lipa, Anne Marie, and Lewis Capaldi have all lost out in recent years, with Sam Smith, James Bay, Rag n Bone Man, Sam Fender, Jorja Smith, Celeste, and FLO all winning.
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