First gender-neutral BRIT Awards

The 42nd BRIT Awards were held at The O2 Arena in London, UK, on 8 February 2022. It was the first edition of the British music industry’s most prestigious awards show to feature entirely gender-neutral categories. Consequently, 2021’s Best British Male and Female Solo Artist awards were replaced by Best British Artist of the Year, won by Adele and featuring nominees Dave, Sam Fender, Little Simz and Ed Sheeran. Similarly, 2021’s Best International Male and Female Solo Artist categories were shelved in favour of Best International Artist of the Year, won by Billie Eilish from a line-up also featuring Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift.

Despite the introduction of gender-neutral categories in 2022, female artists dominated the 42nd BRIT Awards. Adele (3), Billie Eilish, Becky Hill, Holly Humberstone, Little Simz, Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo picked up nine of the 15 prizes up for grabs at The O2.