Jorja Smith has been named as the winner of the 2018 BRIT Awards Critics’ Choice Award.
The singer will be the first recipient of a 2018 BRIT Award designed by Sir Anish Kapoor at the nominations launch on January 13.
The past 12 months have seen Smith collaborate with Drake on Get It Together, feature on his More Life project and perform as a special guest at his UK headline shows. She continued to catch the attention of UK music critics with her debut single Blue Lights.
Smith said: “I cannot believe it, it's been an unforgettable 2017 during which I've fulfilled so many of my dreams and this is such a special way to end the year... and to be part of an all female shortlist alongside Mabel and Stefflon Don, who've both had incredible 2017s, makes it even better! There's lots more to come in 2018 from all of us and I will do my best to make it another memorable year!”
BRITs chairman and chairman & CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland Jason Iley said: “The Critics’ Choice Award has an incredible track record of showcasing some of the most exciting up-and-coming artists for the last 10 years. Jorja Smith has a huge future ahead of her and looks set to follow in the footsteps of the most successful past Critics’ Choice winners.”
Mabel and Stefflon Don are this year’s runners up to Smith. The year will also mark 10 years since the very first Critics’ Choice award was given to Adele back in 2008.
Previous winners include Adele, Emeli Sandé, Sam Smith and last year’s winner Rag‘N’Bone Man.
Full list of Critics’ Choice winners:
2008 Adele
2009 Florence + The Machine
2010 Ellie Goulding
2011 Jessie J
2012 Emeli Sandé
2013 Tom Odell
2014 Sam Smith
2015 James Bay
2016 Jack Garratt
2017 Rag'N'Bone Man
2018 Jorja Smith
