Brit Awards 2024: Raye brands historic seven nominations a 'miracle' as Olivia Dean and Arlo Parks react to nods

The Escapism singer, 26, has the most nominations held by any artist in a single year
Raye has made BRITs history
PA Wire
Lisa McLoughlin 24 January 2024
The Weekender

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Raye has branded her historic Brit Award nominations a “miracle” after she was recognised in seven categories at this year's show.

On Wednesday, the Brit School alumnus made history as she earned seven nominations in categories including Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Artist of the Year, R&B Act, Pop Act and Album of the Year.

It is the most amount of nominations held by any artist in a single year ever - a record previously held by Gorillaz, Craig David and Robbie Williams.

Speaking to host Yinka Bokinni, the 26-year-old said: “My eyes filled up with tears talking about this. It’s too much, it really is too much. The only way I can describe it is as a miracle, this is deep.”

Raye added: “A year and a half ago, as far as the industry is concerned, I was down and out.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have been here again with seven Brit nominations.”

Reflecting on how far she has come since attending the Brit School, the artist admitted that it feels like a “sick joke” that her album, My 21st Century Blues, is nominated for Album of the Year alongside Blur, Young Fathers, Little Simz and J Hus.

Olivia Dean also spoke about her three nominations
PA Wire

“I went to the Brit School and it was a goal, but the ultimate goal was to find a way to somehow get to the Brit Awards,” the Prada singer reflected.

“I know I've had some nominations in the past, which I've been so grateful for but this is a whole different thing, like Best Album? Are you sick man? It's a joke.”

Other artists reacting to their nominations during the broadcast included 2021 Breakthrough Artist winner Arlo Parks, who was nominated for Artist of the Year.

In the category, Parks faces off stiff competition Central Cee, Dave, Dua Lipa, Fred Again…, J Hus, Jessie Ware, Little Simz, Olivia Dean and Raye.

Acknowledging the nod, the singer-songwriter shared: “I feel good. I feel super excited. It's beautiful to kind of have this full circle moment after winning the Breakthrough [Artist Award] a couple years ago, so I feel really proud of being here today.”

Dive hitmaker Olivia Dean also shared her joy over her three nominations for Best New Artist, Artist of the Year and Best Pop Act.

She said during the broadcast: “I'm very excited. I'm very grateful. I'm really blessed. And I'm very happy to be here.”

Dean added that it “feels like a full circle moment” being nominated after attending the Brit School, whose alumni includes Adele and Amy Winehouse.

“I feel proud of myself right now if I'm honest, because I have worked really hard. I think that it's easy to feel like… people think things just happen overnight but I really been wanting to do this my whole life. I like to be here. This is like [woah].”

Read the full list of nominations here.

The BRIT Awards take place on Saturday, March 2 at The O2 arena, broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX. 

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