This year, the format has been slightly adapted, with 10 categories and longer performances. Performances by Lizzo, Harry Styles, Stormzy, Mabel and Lewis Capaldi have been confirmed, and here is a prediction of who will be awarded with some of the most prestigious music trophies.
Dave, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Michael Kiwanuka and Stormzy form the category of Male Solo Artist. Despite Lewis Capaldi’s and Stormy’s commercial success, Harry Styles might be chosen as the winner. His breakthrough after One Direction’s breakup as a solo artist with his debut album Harry Styles already helped deconstruct his previous boyband image. With his 2019 album Fine Line and his eccentric persona, he has further established his artistic identity as a songwriter and rock star.
Up for Female Solo Artist there are breakthrough musicians Freya Ridings, Mahalia, Mabel, FKA Twigs and Charli XCX. Charli XCX’s outstanding success is a force to be reckoned with, however, FKA Twigs holds her ground with her newest album Magdalene. The critically acclaimed record is phenomenally written and produced, and FKA Twigs’ beautiful and expressive voice and physical artistry completes it to create a masterpiece.
For the Best Group category, there is tough competition. Bastille, Coldplay, Bring Me The Horizon, D-Block Europe and Foals all fight for the award this year. Although I love Coldplay and their new back-to-the-old-days Everyday Life record, Foals produced with Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost - Part 1 and Part 2 two of the greatest albums of the year. Their contemporary and anthemic nature might earn them a Brit award.
For song of the year, Lewis Capaldi’s ‘Someone You Loved’ has not only has incredible commercial success with outstanding radio play, but it has also won our hearts. For one of the most prestigious categories of the awards, the Mastercard Album of the Year, it might be Stormzy’s time to shine, with his Heavy is the Head album.
It was not difficult to think about who to award for Best New Artist: Sam Fender, who has produced an exceptional, heavily personal and emotive debut album with Hypersonic Missiles. For Best International Female and Male Artists, Billie Eilish 2019’s accomplishments and success stands out despite of the greatness of the rest of the nominees (being Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Lana del Rey and Lizzo); and I could not choose other than Tyler the Creator, with his beautiful IGOR.