COVENTRY rapper Pa Salieu is one of three artists shortlisted for the BRITs 2021 Rising Star Award – with the winner to be announced this Friday (March 19).
The artists – who also include 20-year-old British-Japanese singer Griff and Rina Sawayama – were selected by an invited panel of music editors and critics.
The newly re-named award – previously BRITs Critics’ Choice – has been instrumental in launching the careers of top UK musicians such as Adele, Florence + The Machine, Sam Smith, Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, Ellie Goulding, and last year’s winner, Celeste.
On being nominated Pa Salieu said: “I am very grateful to be shortlisted for this BRIT award. Love & blessings every time! Thanks to everyone supporting my journey so far.”
In the space of just one year, Gambian-by-way-of-Coventry artist Pa Salieu has achieved more than most artists have in their entire career, according to the BRIT Awards. In January last year, Pa released his breakout single ‘Frontline’ which quickly became one of the most played tracks across BBC 1Xtra.
Just over 13 months later, he won the BBC Sound of 2021, performed on the Jimmy Fallon Show, and been featured on the covers of Dazed, NME, Wonderland, Mixmag and ES Magazine.
In the BRITs ‘Meet our 2021 Rising Star shortlist’ they say:” An artist just as comfortable collaborating with fellow British rappers such as M1llionz, Backroad Gee and SL as he is with working with FKA Twigs, jazz virtuoso Yussef Dayes and Black Midi’s Morgan Simpson (not to mention high end brands like Prada, Burberry and Givenchy). Pa Salieu is a potent artistic force unlike any other before him.”
The BRITs ceremony, delayed from February due to the pandemic, will take place on Tuesday May 11.
