With his hit "As It Was", Harry Styles was nominated in four categories: song of the year, album of the year, best pop album and artist of the year.
In this last gender-neutral category, we already know that the prize will be awarded to a man because no woman is included, which has caused disappointment and criticism.
The Brit Awards ceremony in 2022 got rid of the distinctions "man" and "woman" in order to reward artists "only for their work and their music".
It was the British singer Adele who then won this flagship award.
But this year, five male artists are vying for this prestigious trophy: Central Cee, Fred Again, George Ezra, Harry Styles and Stormzy.
If the absence of women or non-binary people is "disappointing", the organization of the Brits justified itself, believing that it was necessary "to recognize that we have seen in 2022 fewer high-level female artists with major releases.
On social media, the announcement caused an uproar, with many internet users expressing their disappointment.
"So the Brits are setting up a gender-neutral category (...) but this year the five nominees are guys," quipped Tim Burgess, lead singer of The Charlatans, on Twitter.
“One step forward, three steps back,” he lamented.
In the best international artist category, however, it is a woman who is the favorite: Beyoncé, who a week ago became the most crowned artist of all time at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
She is in contention against two other Americans, Taylor Swift and Lizzo, as well as Kendrick Lamar and the Nigerian Burna Boy.
Beyoncé honored at the 65th Grammy Awards, February 5, 2023 in Los Angeles, California © VALERIE MACON / AFP / Archives
The ceremony is to be broadcast live on the ITV channel on Saturday from 8.30 p.m. GMT.
British rap star Stormzy -- nominated in three categories -- is expected to perform on stage, as are Harry Styles, David Guetta, Lizzo and English band Wet Leg, nominated in four categories.
© 2023 AFP