Brit Awards 2024: Raye could break record for most awards in a single year

Singer-songwriter Raye could make Brit Awards history later if she becomes the most-awarded artist in a single year.

The star has already broken records by getting seven nominations, beating the previous record of six held by Craig David, Gorillaz and Robbie Williams.

And the 26-year-old has one award in the bag – songwriter of the year, which was announced in advance.

She will face competition in other categories at Saturday’s ceremony from Dua Lipa, Olivia Dean and J Hus.

A big year for British hip-hop is reflected in rapper Central Cee earning four nominations, with three nominations each for J Hus, Dave and Little Simz.

The event will be hosted by BBC Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo, former Capital FM presenter Roman Kemp and TV personality Maya Jama.

Here is everything you need to know about the ceremony.

The singer is nominated for best artist, album, song (twice), new artist, pop act and R&B act.

Because of her double nomination in the best song category – for Prada and Escapism – she could scoop a maximum of six trophies on the night.

But after she was named best songwriter – which was announced separately on Wednesday – she could theoretically win seven 2024 Brit Awards in total.

The current record for the most Brits at a single ceremony is four, jointly held by Blur (1995), Adele (2016) and Harry Styles (2023).

Last year, there was criticism after all the nominees for the best artist prize were male.

So this year, the best artist shortlist has been extended from five to 10 artists, and includes six female artists.

Co-host Kemp told BBC News: “In terms of music this year, the artists that have really just shone through are female artists.

“I think everyone who was nominated deserves to be there in their own right – it’s not like they’ve said, ‘Oh we need more female nominations, let’s just put them in there.’ It’s genuinely who has provided some of the best work.

“Artists like Raye and Dua Lipa are the megastars right now.”

Another addition is a new award for the best R&B act, after many artists felt the genre was not celebrated enough.

It was previously represented in the “best pop/R&B” category, but that was dominated by more mainstream artists like Dua Lipa and Harry Styles.

R&B acts who have had success in the past 24 months, instead of the usual 12, were eligible for nomination this year, so that artists who might have missed out in 2023 can be recognised.

Artists nominated in that category include Raye, Jorja Smith and Mahalia.

A host of artists will take to the stage at the ceremony, with Dua Lipa and Raye topping the bill.

Dance duo Jungle, Nigerian rapper Rema and Canadian pop sensation Tate McRae will also appear, while drum and bass veterans Chase & Status will be accompanied by two-time Brit winner Becky Hill.

Ellie Goulding and Calvin Harris will team up for a special performance, while Australian superstar Kylie Minogue is set to perform a medley of her hits after she is crowned this year’s global icon.

Kylie follows in the footsteps of the likes of Taylor Swift and Sir Elton John after being announced as the recipient of the global icon award.

Raye has been named songwriter of the year, while Chase & Status have been named winners of producers of the year.

In December, it was announced that indie band The Last Dinner Party had won the Brits Rising Star prize.

The five-piece are one of the year’s most talked-about new acts, thanks to their swooping, dramatic singles and theatrical stage costumes.

Singer Abigail Morris told the BBC it was “a bit like having an out-of-body experience”.

The Brit Awards will be broadcast live by ITV1 and ITVX from 20:30 GMT on Saturday.

The BBC News website will also have extensive coverage including live text updates from the red carpet and the ceremony itself from 17:00 GMT.