The Brit awards has unveiled its all-male shortlist for the 2025 Rising Star award – formerly known as Critics’ Choice – which tips British acts for pop success.
Oxford-born singer-songwriter Elmiene, AKA Abdala Elamin, writes soulful R&B inspired by his formative love of Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and D’Angelo. He has previously written with artists including Stormzy and Sampha, and released his debut EP, Marking My Time, in January via Def Jam/Polydor. He told Rolling Stone that he anticipates releasing his debut album in 2025, and aspires to full-length releases as “a complete project”, citing the catalogues of D’Angelo and Prince as touchstones.
In a statement, Elmiene said: “If I could put the feeling of being nominated into words, I would say it’s like being completely satisfied with a meal you bought and then finding out it comes with dessert and a drink. Didn’t know it could get any better.”
East London duo Good Neighbours are Oli Fox and Scott Verrill, who make indie pop in the vein of Bleachers, Foster the People or early MGMT. Both had previously worked as pop songwriters. They released their debut single, Home, on Some Action earlier this year, and re-released it after signing to Capitol Records; a self-titled EP followed. The pair are also on the longlist for the BBC Sound of 2025 prize.
The duo said: “We started Good Neighbours purely for the fun of it, so to be up for an actual Brit award at this stage in our career is the biggest honour.”
The final nominee is Luton songwriter Myles Smith – also on the BBC list – whose epic, soulful ballad Stargazing has been ubiquitous this year, peaking at No 4 on the UK singles chart and being certified Platinum. He broke out as a covers artist on TikTok in 2020 and began releasing original material, signing to Sony RCA.
Said Smith: “Growing up in Luton, I started playing pubs and open mic nights when I was just 12 and music quickly became my way of understanding the world and connecting with others. This recognition feels like a reflection of that journey – the highs, the challenges and the incredible people who’ve supported me along the way.”
The last male artist to win was Sam Fender in 2019. The Last Dinner Party won the prize this year.
The award was founded in 2008 and won in its first year by Adele. It is voted for by a select panel of music journalists, radio and TV heads of music, as well as songwriters, producers and booking agents. It is open to any British artist – or act with indefinite leave to remain – who as of 31 October 2024 has not had a Top 20 UK album or more than one Top 20 placing in the UK Top 40.
The winner will be announced on 5 December on BBC Radio 1’s New Music Show with Jack Saunders.
• This article was amended on 26 November 2024. The winner will be unveiled on BBC Radio 1 in December, not at the Brit awards ceremony in March as previously stated, and the last male artist to be nominated was Sekou in 2023.
