Sam Fender has been announced as the winner of 2019's Brits Critics' Choice Award.
Following the Critics' Choice shortlist being announced last week featuring Lewis Capaldi, Mahalia and Sam Fender, it was revealed that the young singer-songwriter had emerged as the winner.
The industry-voted prize has previously been won by Adele, Sam Smith and Ellie Goulding. Figures in the media and music industry are asked to nominate artists they believe will enjoy future success but who haven’t yet scored a UK Top 40 album.
Fender said he was “truly humbled” to win, adding: “We’ve played literally hundreds of shows this year, and we’re going to go even harder in 2019 … To everyone who’s taken a punt on me so far, thank you.”
Fender performs energetic guitar-based tracks that lead on his soulful vocals. His lyrics tend to focus on social and political issues such as masculinity, depression, and the lack of opportunities for UK youth.
He released nine singles over 2017 and 2018, and performed a string of live shows.
The prize is seen as a predictor of future success. The winner in 2017, Rag’n’Bone Man, scored the fastest-selling debut album of the decade and the second biggest-selling album of 2017, after Ed Sheeran. 2018 winner Jorja Smith reached the Top 3 and was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize.
The Brit Awards take place at the O2 Arena in London on 20 February and will be hosted by Jack Whitehall.
