Brits Rising Star: Caity Baser, The Last Dinner Party and Sekou nominated
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Caity Baser performed at Reading and Leeds over the summer and is due to release her mixtape Still Learning next year
Caity Baser, The Last Dinner Party and Sekou have been announced as the nominees in the running for this year's Brit Rising Star award.
The winner will claim the title from Flo, who were recognised in 2023.
Other previous winners since the prize category was created in 2008 include Adele, Sam Fender and Jorja Smith.
The award, supported by BBC Radio 1, recognises UK artists who haven't achieved a top 20 album or more than one top 20 single by 31 October.
Caity Baser says she "literally screamed for five minutes and chucked everything around my room" when she found out she'd been nominated.
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter blew up on TikTok where she has more than half a million followers.
She describes her sound as "cheeky, British pop" and is known for her tracks Friendly Sex, Why Can't I have Two? and Pretty Boys which have earnt her role-model status for self-confidence and female empowerment.
"I used to watch the awards on TV every year when I was a kid but had no idea how a kid from an estate in Southampton would ever get there," she says.
The Last Dinner Party's debut album Prelude To Ecstasy is out next year
Up against Caity are The Last Dinner Party - a five-piece indie group from London.
They released their debut single Nothing Matters in April which has been streamed more than 13 million times on Spotify.
Their first album Prelude To Ecstasy comes out in February and they've already been named as one of BBC Radio 6 Music's artists of the year.
"We've had an amazing year and can't wait for all that's to come," the band says.
"It's very overwhelming and exciting to be up for something as prestigious as a Brit at this stage in our career and we're so grateful."
Sekou performed his breakout track Better Manor for the first time at BBC Introducing's tent at Glastonbury in 2022
The final nominee is Sekou - a singer-songwriter from Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire who started posting soulful covers online at the age of 16.
He says he draws inspiration from the likes of Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé, as well as gospel music, which he came to love through his church roots.
The 19-year-old first performed his breakout track Better Man at Glastonbury in 2022 in the BBC Introducing tent.
Sekou says his nomination is "absolutely crazy", adding: "I'm so grateful to be considered for this. For me, this feels like God telling me to continue to work harder and keep pushing."
"I remember being 10 years old when Adele sang Someone Like You for the first time and being like 'that's going to be me one day'."
The Rising Star shortlist is chosen by a panel of industry experts including music editors, critics, songwriters and producers.
The award winner will be announced on 7 December ahead of the 2024 Brit Awards on 2 March.
But the awards will have a different host next year after Mo Gilligan announced he will be "stepping down", external due to his first world tour.
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