THE BRIT AWARDS: A MIDDLE-CLASS MONOPOLY?

Here we go again, the BRIT Awards nominations are out and are you surprised by the nominees?

We all know that the Brits have a knack for delivering memorable moments. Take Mo Gilligan accidentally calling Lewis Capaldi “Sam Capaldi” This classic mix-up had everyone chuckling. And Roman Kemp didn’t hold back when he joked about Red Bull CEO Christian Horner, proving that even the poshest events can have their light-hearted moments. Then there was Sam Smith and that striking gimp outfit at the 2023 awards, it turned heads for all the right reasons. And Wet Leg, in their cheeky style, dropped a line referencing the Arctic Monkeys with, “That rock ‘n’ roll, eh?” It’s these fun, spontaneous moments that get people talking.

Yet, amidst all the glitz and glamour, it’s hard not to notice the trend of nominees often coming from middle-class backgrounds and having attended the Brit School. While this institution has produced some phenomenal talent, it does raise questions about whether success in the music industry is becoming a bit too exclusive. It seems that a good audition isn’t the only thing that might open doors; having a trust fund certainly wouldn’t hurt either.

So what’s the Brit School in Croydon I hear you cry? For those who don’t know, the school boasts an impressive alumni of commercially successful artists, including Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Jessie J. This publicly funded performing arts school allows students to train in a specific craft with first-class facilities and industry contacts. Graduates leave with a real advantage because they are prepared for the competitive music industry. However, the over-representation of middle-class artists at the Brit Awards raises some serious concerns. Talent knows no socio-economic boundaries, but access to making music in Britain is prohibitively expensive for lessons, instruments, and studio time. Middle-class families can provide these advantages much more easily to their children than working-class families, thus already giving them a leg up on their competition.

A musical career path often brings a lot of challenges or, rather, a host of challenges to so many working-class individuals. The financial requirements involving education and training in the arts are usually high and unaffordable by less fortunate students. The tuition fees for music schools, expenses involved in acquiring instruments, and lesson costs create substantial costs and hence pose very solid barriers for would-be musicians. Besides, not having industry connections tends to thwart development. The music industry is one of those industries where networking and relationships are huge, and this is often very hard for someone without privilege to break into. This might result in not finding mentors or visibility through industry networking events. For individuals from less privileged backgrounds, penetrating an industry that prioritises connections alongside talent can be especially daunting.

The music industry has an unequal playing field, leaving many talented individuals unheard due to a lack of support and opportunities to showcase their abilities. Systemic issues within the industry often lead to a self-reinforcing cycle that hinders the advancement of artists from less privileged backgrounds. This dynamic not only perpetuates social inequalities but also restricts the diversity of voices represented in music. This is not only disastrous for the artists themselves but also for the diverse range of music that finally reaches the audiences, who are deprived of many portrayals of diversity in perspectives and experiences. Financial constraints on education alone, apart from industry networks, can destroy the buds of potential even before they grow. This has created an uneven playing field, where the talent from underprivileged backgrounds can barely make its presence felt.

The dominance of middle-class artists from institutions such as the Brit School at the Brit Awards restricts the diversity of music celebrated. Music is a powerful expression that emanates from unique experiences, and from artists hailing from different socioeconomic backgrounds who bring a much-needed perspective. When the awards focus primarily on one demographic, the industry risks becoming homogenous and disconnected from broader society. It takes diverse voices to tell and convey depth of experiences part of the music, innovation, and larger audiences. More celebrations of artists coming from diversity shape the cultural world so every voice in it would sound vital and assure that upcoming musicians are welcomed no matter their origin.

The 2025 Brit Awards will be held on Saturday, March 1 at The O2 arena in London. The show will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX12.