If there's one thing we're taking away from the 2024 BRIT Awards, it's that it marked a big win for women. Even before the ceremony on Saturday 2 March, it was expected that female artists would dominate the awards categories – with Raye securing a record seven nominations and performances from the likes of Kylie Minogue and Dua Lipa topping the line-up on the night.
The BRITs has been criticised in the past for its lack of representation for women – particularly in 2023, when the Best Artist category featured precisely zero nominees. But 2024's event seemed to mark a turning point, which saw the awards increase the number of nominees for both Artist of the Year and International Artist of the Year from five to ten – a change which aimed at improving representation and inclusion.
Women rule supreme in this year's Brit Awards nominations
Of course, Raye majorly cleared up on the night with her record-breaking wins, but the BRIT Awards felt celebratory for women in many ways – in fact, many of the female attendees made sure that they showed plenty of love for their contemporaries at the show, too.
During interviews on the red carpet, a number of the night's biggest stars made sure to support their fellow female artists.
Charli XCX was quick to speak up for arguably the BRITs' woman of the night, Raye, and her incredible success despite so many obstacles. “I’m so happy that Raye is nominated for seven awards tonight,” she said during an Instagram Live interview from the red carpet. “She’s really used her platform to discuss the struggles and the smothering that she’s had from her previous record label… and I’m so happy that she’s an independent female artist who is really taking the reigns and showing people an alternative way to be an artist in this day and age.”
Fit for a queen.
She added: “She’s a really great example of an artist who is doing something really important in the industry right now… It’s really important for women and artists to support each other and talk to each other and be open with each other – and offer this support network to each other so you feel like you have help with things that can be difficult to talk about.”
Raye herself also made sure to speak up for other artists during her acceptance speech for her R&B Award – the first ever in BRITs history – thanking Mahalia for campaigning for the music genre to be recognised. She also made sure to name-check other women making great music, adding: “There are so many R&B artists in the UK who are eating it up… Mahalia, you Queen, Cleo Sol, who is immaculate – and Jorja Smith!”
Dua Lipa also described the 2024 BRIT Awards as a “girl power” night in her calendar while speaking on the red carpet. “[It's all about] incredible female artists who I love and I admire and I listen to their music – and to be alongside them feels really special,” she said. “We need more girl energy! It’s great. It’s going to be a full girl-power night tonight in the room, so I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.”
Say it LOUDER, Dua!
