2022 BRIT Awards called out for having no R&B artists in Best Pop/R&B Act category

Last month it was announced that the 2022 BRITs would be dropping the gendered categories for four new genre-based categories including Alternative/Rock Act, Pop/R&B Act, Dance Act and Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act.

At the time, Mahalia called out the BRITs for putting Pop and R&B in the same category on Twitter. She wrote, "putting pop and R&B in the same category is really nuts to me. and proves that the powers that be once again just do not get it. I love the Brits. I have since I was a kid. But as an R&B singer/songwriter, this feels completely unprogressive to the whole UK R&B scene.."

putting pop and R&B in the same category is really nuts to me. and proves that the powers that be once again just do not get it. I love the Brits. I have since I was a kid. But as an R&B singer/songwriter, this feels completely unprogressive to the whole UK R&B scene.. https://t.co/pE8o3lbp9F

— mahalia (@mahalia) November 23, 2021

Following the announcement of the 2022 BRIT nominations last weekend, the BRITs has received more criticism, after pop acts Adele, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Joy Crookes and Griff made up the entire Pop/R&B Act category.

On Twitter, Sinead Harnett shared a video saying, "So the BRIT nominations have come through and something is a little bit strange, or curious about the category there."

"First of all I absolutely adore each and every one of these artists," Harnett continued. "They are fucking amazing. But I have two questions. The first one is: Why merge pop with R&B? And the second is: If you're gonna do that please at least include some R&B acts within the category."

UK Rnb exists pic.twitter.com/E2ebVQphY5

— Sinéad Harnett (@SineadHarnett) December 20, 2021

Other viewers also shared the same point of view, with one writing, "The pop/r&b category at the brits is a bit of a disgrace though. Because every year pop acts will get nominated because they’re mainstream. I think they should of just called a spade a spade and named it the best pop act."

The pop/r&b category at the brits is a bit of a disgrace though. Because every year pop acts will get nominated because they’re mainstream. I think they should of just called a spade a spade and named it the best pop act.

— omo (@omointhislife) December 18, 2021

Another wrote, "I’m really not understanding why the BRITs decided to group pop and R&B into one category this year. Aside from ZERO U.K. R&B artists being nominated, what chance would any of them have alongside Adele and Ed Sheeran?"

I’m really not understanding why the BRITs decided to group pop and R&B into one category this year. Aside from ZERO U.K. R&B artists being nominated, what chance would any of them have alongside Adele and Ed Sheeran?

— rooftop papi. (@hadleyogarro) December 18, 2021

One user added, "Little Simz nominated for Best New Artist, Pop / R&B a combined category.. BRITs needs revising lmao."

Little Simz nominated for Best New Artist, Pop / R&B a combined category.. BRITs needs revising lmao

— Tochi (@tochichels) December 18, 2021