BRIT Awards Breakthrough Act nominees: Prepare to be obsessed (if you aren't already)…
The BRIT Awards are fast-approaching (21st February, FYI) and we're looking forward to seeing who's crowned British Breakthrough Act for 2018.
Dave, Dua Lipa, J Hus, Loyle Carner and Sampha are this year's batch of very worthy nominees. Prepare to be obsessed...
J Hus
J Hus - Live Lounge
BRIT nominee for Best British Breakthrough act, J Hus performs in the Live Lounge.
Hands up, who had Did You See on repeat all summer? Same. J Hus took over the airwaves during 2017 thanks to a feature on Stormzy's album, Gang Signs & Prayer, a collaboration with Dave (we're talking about Samantha, of course) and the release of his debut album, Common Sense. Earlier this month, that same album took the coveted prize of Best New Album at the NME Awards. We predict even bigger things in 2018 for J Hus...
Sampha
Sampha - Live Lounge
BRIT nominee for Best British Breakthrough act, Sampha performs Blood On Me and a cover.
From being sampled by Drake to writing for Solange, it's safe to say that Sampha is in-demand. The soulful singer came fourth in BBC Music's Sound Of 2014 awards (Sam Smith snagged the top spot, with Ella Eyre and BANKS scoring second and third) and received critical acclaim - and a Mercury Prize (no biggie!) - for his 2017 album, Process.
Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa - Live Lounge
BRIT nominee for Best British Breakthrough act, Dua Lipa performs in the Live Lounge.
She came, she delivered her New Rules, she conquered. We've been hitting the repeat button on Dua Lipa's track for months now and, with every play, our love has only intensified. She may have three rules (that we know of) but she's got a whopping five BRIT nominations, making her the most nominated female solo artist in BRITs history.
Can we expect a gong-based remix if she walks away with the prize? "I've got five BRITs, I count 'em!" Watch this space.
Loyle Carner
Loyle Carner - Live Lounge
BRIT nominee for Best British Breakthrough act, with a track and cover from the archive.
2017 was a big year for Loyle Carner (real name: Benjamin Gerard Coyle-Larner). He released his debut album, Yesterday's Gone, and subsequently bagged himself a Mercury Prize nomination. So far this year, he's already released a track with long-time collaborator, Tom Misch, and won an NME award for Best British Solo Artist.
Dave
Dave - Live Lounge
BRIT nominee for Best British Breakthrough act, Dave performs 'No Words' and a cover.
Dave already bagged himself a similar title in the form of the Best Newcomer Act at the 2017 MOBO Awards so we think it's safe to say that he's definitely a star on the rise. He crash-landed on the scene around 2015 and lit up his own Fire In The Booth in 2016. Since then he's been remixed by Drake, released a track with J Hus and toured the UK.
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BRIT Awards Breakthrough Act winners: Where are they now?
Let's take a trip down memory lane and see exactly what the British Breakthrough Acts of years past have gone on to achieve...
