The dust has finally settled on the O2 Arena, but let's be honest, the conversation around the Brit Awards 2025 nominations is still pretty loud. It was a year where the old guard met the "brat" summer head-on, and the results were, well, chaotic. You had legendary rockers like The Cure rubbing shoulders with indie darlings and pop juggernauts, making the shortlists feel less like a stuffy industry meeting and more like a wild festival lineup.
If you weren't glued to the livestream back in January when Sian Welby announced the names at London’s Outernet, you missed the moment the industry basically handed the keys to Charli xcx. She didn't just participate; she dominated. With five nominations, she was the clear frontrunner going into the March 1 ceremony. It felt like the "Brat" era wasn't just a TikTok trend—it was a full-scale cultural takeover that the BPI simply couldn't ignore.
The Big Names and Surprising Snubs
So, who actually made the cut? The Brit Awards 2025 nominations for Artist of the Year were a massive talking point. We saw Charli xcx, Dua Lipa, and Sam Fender leading the charge, but it was the inclusion of names like Nia Archives and Rachel Chinouriri that really showed the Brits were trying to look beyond just the radio Top 40.
The category felt heavy. Real heavy.
- Charli xcx (The obvious powerhouse)
- Dua Lipa (Coming off the back of Radical Optimism)
- Sam Fender (The Geordie hero who seems to win over everyone)
- Central Cee (Keeping the rap presence strong)
- Beabadoobee (The indie-pop queen who finally got her flowers)
Interestingly, the Group of the Year category felt like a time machine. You had The Cure—who hadn't been nominated in over 30 years—standing next to Coldplay and The Last Dinner Party. Seeing Robert Smith's name on a 2025 nomination list was definitely not on my bingo card for the year, but Songs of a Lost World was legitimately one of the best-reviewed records of the season.
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Why the Beatles were back
Yeah, you read that right. The Beatles were nominated for Song of the Year. For a song released in 2023/2024. "Now and Then" used AI to bring John Lennon's voice back to life, and the Brits decided that was enough to warrant their first nomination since 1977. Kinda wild when you think about it. They were competing against modern hits like "Stargazing" by Myles Smith and "Guess" by Charli xcx. It was a weird, beautiful mess of musical history.
Breaking Down the Genre Categories
The genre awards are usually where things get "sporty." In the Best Pop Act category, the competition was fierce. JADE (formerly of Little Mix) made a massive splash with her solo debut "Angel of My Dreams," going up against heavyweights like Dua Lipa and Charli. It was one of those moments where you realize just how much the UK pop scene has evolved into something a bit more experimental and daring.
Then you have the R&B Act. RAYE was back in the mix, of course, after her historic six-win sweep the year before. She was joined by the likes of Michael Kiwanuka and the girl group FLO. It’s a category that often gets overlooked in the main broadcast, which is a shame because the quality of UK R&B right now is arguably better than it's been in a decade.
The International Invasion
You can't talk about the Brits without the international stars. The 2025 list looked like a Grammy preview. Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift were all fighting for International Artist of the Year. Honestly, it felt like Chappell Roan’s year from the start—her rise was so meteoric that seeing her name there felt like an inevitability rather than a surprise.
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The Mastercard Album of the Year
This is the big one. The one everyone sticks around for at 10:00 PM. The nominees for the 2025 British Album of the Year were:
- BRAT – Charli xcx
- Prelude to Ecstasy – The Last Dinner Party
- Radical Optimism – Dua Lipa
- Songs of a Lost World – The Cure
- Dance, No One’s Watching – Ezra Collective
Ezra Collective’s inclusion was a massive win for the UK jazz scene. They’ve been grinding for years, and after winning the Mercury Prize, this felt like the final seal of approval from the mainstream.
What the Critics Got Wrong
A lot of people complained that the Brit Awards 2025 nominations were too "safe" in some areas. There’s always that tension between commercial success and artistic merit. Some felt that the Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap category was a bit predictable, featuring the usual suspects like Stormzy and Dave. While they are legends, the underground UK rap scene is moves so fast that sometimes the Brits feel like they're playing catch-up.
Also, can we talk about the host? Jack Whitehall returned for his fifth stint. Some loved the nostalgia and his "posh lad" humor, while others were ready for a fresh face. It’s a tough gig, though. You’re basically trying to keep a room full of drunk musicians in check while millions watch at home.
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Lessons from the 2025 Season
Looking back at the nominations and the eventual wins, it's clear the Brits are leaning into the "Saturday Night" entertainment factor. They moved the show to a Saturday a couple of years ago, and it’s changed the energy. It’s less of a formal industry gala and more of a chaotic party.
If you're an aspiring artist looking at these lists, the takeaway is pretty simple: individuality wins. Charli xcx didn't get five nominations by following a radio formula; she did it by creating a specific aesthetic and sticking to it. The Last Dinner Party didn't get four nominations by being "another indie band"—they brought theatrics and maximalism back to the charts.
Next Steps for Music Fans:
- Listen to the Breakthrough acts: Don't just stick to the winners. Check out Rachel Chinouriri and English Teacher—they represent the actual future of the UK sound.
- Watch the performances: The nominations tell half the story; the live sets at the O2 are where the real "Brit moments" happen.
- Follow the Rising Star: Myles Smith won the Rising Star award for 2025 early on. Keep an eye on whoever is shortlisted for 2026, as they almost always become the next household name.