Brits 2022 Preview: Who Should Win vs. Who Will Win

With the Brits set to kick off on February 8th, debates have been circulating across the world about who should win one of the prestigious trophies. The Brits are the British equivalent of the Grammys, and they highlight the success of some of the best talents across England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Many major artists are up for awards such as Adele, Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, and Taylor Swift. Meanwhile, relatively unknown artists such as Central Cee, Ckay, Russ Millions, and Tion Wayne are all also up for awards. This combination should create several wonderful performances, speeches, and controversy after the awards are handed out. Now that we’ve set the stage, it is time for my major 2022 Brits predictions.

Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Artist - Winner - Dave

This award, for me, is the most obvious. Dave has slowly been on the rise for the past three years, gaining much more recognition after the release of his latest album, We’re All Alone In This Together. I believe this was the album of the year that sadly went under several people’s noses because Dave is not a worldwide name. However, I do believe that he will win this award with his competition, AJ Tracey, Central Cee, Ghetts, and Little Simz, coming nowhere close to his unmatched success in the grime field this year. 

Artist of the year - Winner - Adele 

Even though I would love to also give this award to Dave, everyone knows it will be heading for Adele’s trophy collection. After coming back from a six-year absence, she has once again hit the top of the charts with songs such as “Easy On Me,” and “Oh My God,” both charting along with several other songs from her latest album, 30. Although, it would not be a massive shock if it were to go to someone else, as other nominees such as Ed Sheeran and Dave both had better years statistically than Adele. However, the simple fact that she has produced a few mega-hits after a six-year absence will allow her to add this award to her collection. 

Album of the Year:

 Winner - Ed Sheeran = 

Should Win: Dave We’re All Alone In This Together 

Despite his one hundred percent success rate when being nominated for this award, Dave will fall short this year, with Ed Sheeran taking home the award at the end of the night. The other massive nominee, Adele, has a good shot, however, she has simply not had the numbers Dave and Ed Sheeran have had this year. Meanwhile, I believe Ed Sheeran will take home the award, mainly due to how global his songs have become, which is the same thing that will likely prevent Dave from gaining his second album of the year award. 

International Song:

 Winner: Olivia Rodrigo, “Good 4 U” 

Should Win: The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber, “Stay”

Although there are many great nominees in this category, this award will be contested between two eighteen-year-olds. Olivia Rodrigo and The Kid Laroi have both had massive breakout years in 2021, with both of their songs nominated in this category having over one billion streams on Spotify alone. As much as I would love to say that The Kid Laroi’s “Stay (with Justin Bieber)” should win, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” will pinch this award. This is mainly because of how the Brits tend to favor people who have appeared at the show before, Rodrigo did so herself last year, and they rarely give awards for collaborations in the song of the year categories. Other nominees for this award include Billie Eilish with “Happier Than Ever,” Polo G with “Rapstar,” and Lil Nas X with “Montero.”

Song of the Year: 

Winner -  Tion Wayne & Russ Millions, “Body” 

Should Win: KSI, “Holiday” 

This award probably has the best set of nominees.  Its possible winners range from viral hits, such as Glass Animals’, “Heat Waves,” mainstream pop,  Adele’s “Easy On Me”, and even YouTuber, KSI, who received two nominations for his songs “Holiday,” and “Don’t Play.” However, one must stand above the rest and take the title of song of the year, and that song is Tion Wayne and Russ Millions’, “Body.” “Body”, despite not getting much recognition in the U.S., was the seventh most streamed song on Spotify this year. It has already won song of the year at the GRM Daily and MOBO awards this past year, with the Brits song of the year seemingly it's next stop. Now, I would love to see KSI win this award to show how far he has come in music after climbing his way up the musical ladder ever since the release of his hit song “Uncontrollable ft. Big Zuu” in 2015. I also believe that he would probably be more grateful for this award than other worldwide artists may be, however, if Body wins it will also show how the Brits are starting to seriously consider songs from rap artists instead of just looking at mainstream pop. Now watch them give it to someone boring like Ed Sheeran. 

With all the stars raring to get on the red carpet and the rest of the world anticipating one of the best Brits in years, the 2022 edition can’t come soon enough.

By Luke Birch