The BRIT Awards has revealed that gendered award categories will be dropped from the show as of 2022.
Under the new framework, the British and international categories for male and female solo artist will now come together under an inclusive Artist of the Year category. The changes follow on from comments made by Sam Smith, who is non-binary, that they felt the BRITs should "celebrate everybody, regardless of gender, race, age, ability, sexuality and class."
In addition to the removal of gendered categories, 2022’s edition of the annual award show, which will be hosted by comedian Mo Gilligan, will see the return of genre awards, for Best Dance Act, Best Alternative/Rock, Best Pop/R&B, and Best Hip-hop/Rap/Grime acts. There will also be a new Songwriter of the Year award, while Block9, the creative institution behind Glastonbury installations such as NYC Downlow and IICON, will oversee stage and set design for 2022’s ceremony, which is scheduled for February 15 and will take place at London’s O2.
