The Brits reveal their proposed 2026 nominees, to sign the next wave of British stars
This page Brit Awards Always had a knack for seeing the future before the rest of the world caught on! – Cereli, Florence Welch, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, Jessie J – The Choice of Critics Huduni (returned to its original name in 2026 after several years as Rising Star Award) has become one of the most reliable predictors of artists who will define the next decade of British music.
Now, the brits revealed these three artists who opened it 2026 Award Winnersupported by BBC Radio 1, And the shortlist reads like a snapshot of where the UK is headed for meaningful writing, a dance-pop revival, and a bold revival, bold breeding, of a genre ready for global stages.
This year’s nominees – Jacob Alon, Rose gray and Sienna Spiro – Arrive at very different times in their early careers, but all three are already known for their unique musical identity. And if history is any indication, one of them will soon become a household name.
Jacob Alon: A news broker who takes it easy
Few new artists have built as strongly – or as – as Jacob Alon. Raised in Fife and steeped in the folk traditions of Scotland’s East Coast, he writes songs that feel sick, as if they have been in the blood for years. Their redraw album ‘Limerence’ get a Mercury prize Shortlist Spot in 2025, and suddenly the famous singer – songwriter found himself in the national conversation.
Jacob’s strength lies in a kind of emotional excavation. Their arrangements are bare but deliberate, combining acoustic intimacy with a sudden, cinematic swell. They have already found a BBC presents singer of the year The title also brought one of the most talked about sets – about glastonbury The BBC presents the category last summer – work some critics called “Alon’s work quietly shifted gears”.
For an award with borderline creativity that defines boundaries, Jacob fits right in with the list of previous alumni: their faithful fake artists before they were surprised.
“Yes beauty! – Jacob Alon
Rose grey: the pop insurgent brings Rave culture into mainstream culture
When Jacob Alon stand for clarity, Rose gray The opposite: Ecstatic, explosive, and building a dance floor.
East London Artist – Whose Album ‘We love it so much’ From earlier this year – it’s become one of the most exciting new numbers in the UK Club-pop Renaissance. Drawing inspiration from the energy of the ’40s rave, the shiny electro-pop, and the industrial sheen of modern club music, gray has assembled a sound that feels good but is completely new.
His follow-up work Deluxe, ‘We love it so much, please’expanded his sonic world greatly. He spent 2025 in the main credits of the Festival and came to support Kesha on her European tour – nikloks just knew: rose gray is on the verge of international stardom!
When Alon is subtle, gray is maximalist. His choruses are arranged for mass euphoria, with nightclub catharsis, the festival tents are filled to capacity. In a year when British Dance-Pop is experiencing a renaissance, its promotion feels timely.
“I’m so happy about this promotion!! This moment feels like a special reminder of what this journey has really brought to this journey. – rose gray
Sienna Spiro Spiro: A new green voice that is already filling rooms across continents
Sienna Spiro’s Waking up has always been the fastest of the three. Only launching his music career in 2024, he entered 2025 with real momentum – thanks a lot to Debut Ep ‘Sink Now, Swim Later’ which demonstrated his ability to translate real experiences into timeless, modern, and beloved songs ‘IT IS POSSIBLE.’ Marking the breakthrough moment drew praise from artists including C, Snoh aalegra, Phineas and Mark Ronson.
His rise is marked by a voice that cuts clean in sound – irresistible in the best way, full of broken edges and life – in emotion. His latest ‘Let him die on this mountain’ became the first UK TOP 10 hit, transforming Spiro from promising New Comping to the official chart almost overnight. Since then, he met endlessly, being opened Sam Smith to them Being FREE: New York City Cleanliness, before decorating his days sold all over Europe. Festival slots, late night TV appearances, and a growing US fanbase have boosted his profile once again, positioning him as one of the most compelling new players of the moment.
“So beyond that be honored and grateful to be honored with this year’s Clit Brink Choice award! To think I started releasing music a year ago, I would never have expected this. Thank you so much!” – Sienna Spiro
This page Critics’ Choice Award first launched in 2008 to showcase the UK’s next generation of game-changing talent. It is decided by a panel of music journalists, radio and TV personalities, and industry insiders. Eligibility, artists must -I get a top 20 album or more top 20 singles by October 31st 2025.
Along with the front-runners are singers, past winners and nominees include heavyweights such as James blake, Emele Sandé, Tom Odell, Ella eyre, James bay, Years and years, Rag’n’mbone Man, Dua Lipa, George Smith, Sam Flenderand – recently – myle smith and The last party for dinner. Many of those names have since gone on to global success – underscoring that critics’ choice remains one of the best predictors of the next wave of Big UK artists.
This year’s winner will be revealed in mid-January, ahead of the main Brit awards
Speaking following the unveiling of the 2025 nominees, Stacey TangThe Chairman of the Committee of the Brit Awards and RCA records of RCA Records at Sony Music uk said: “It is very exciting to see young artists succeeding more than ever. Smith and Emeli Sande. This year’s finale is a good reminder that the commercial momentum grows from the recognition of the past and the courage of art.”
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