UK artists Ella Mai and Jorja Smith have been nominated for prestigious honours at this year’s Grammy Awards, signalling a sense of recognition for new, homegrown talent.
Mai is nominated for her hit ”Boo’d Up” in the Song of the Year category, competing with the likes of Drake, Shawn Mendes and Childish Gambino. This is hardly surprising in light of the single’s phenomenal success; the track peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and broke the record for the most weeks at No. 1 of any song by a female on the R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart.
Breakthrough act Smith is deservedly up for Best New Artist alongside Dua Lipa, making them the first British artists to make an appearance in that category since 2016.
The Walsall native has achieved great things since her career began in 2016; becoming the first independent artist to win the BRIT’S Critic’s Choice Award whilst working with the likes of Drake, Kali Uchis, Kendrick Lamar and Stormzy. Tough competition is featured in this category, with the likes of Bebe Rexha, H.E.R and Luke Combs also being nominated.
The set date for the 61st ceremony is 1 February 2019, 1:00 am GMT.