BRIT Awards 2023: Cat Burns, FLO and Nia Archives named BRIT Rising Star 2023 nominees

The nominees for the 2023 BRITs Rising Star in support with BBC Radio 1 have been announced as Cat Burns, FLO and Nia Archives. 

They follow in the footsteps of past Rising Star and Critics Choice nominees such as Dua Lipa, Adele and Sam Smith that have gone on to find worldwide success.

The award is open to British artists who, as of 31st October 2022, have not yet achieved an Official Album Charts Top 20 placing or achieved more than one Top 20 chart placing in the Official Singles Chart.

Rising queer singer-songwriter Cat Burns established herself this past year with her massive break-out single Go experiencing a viral surge two years after its original release. It ended up peaking at Number 2 on the Official Singles Chart, and is one of the best-selling songs of 2022 so far. 

"A BRITs Rising Star nomination was a major thing on my bucket list for me this year," Cat said of the honour, "so to have achieved that honestly means the world to me. I’m super grateful for the year I’ve had and am so honoured to have been chosen!"

MORE: See the brand-new BRIT Award design for 2023

Girlgroup Flo - comprised of members Renee, Jorja and Stella - only released their debut single seven months ago, but the MNEK-assisted Cardboard Box was such a breath of fresh air (and a throwback to the halcyon days of 00s R&B-pop) that many fans were captivated. Together, the trio issued a debut EP, The Lead, this year and a follow-up single Not My Job, which could have been an All Saints single in another life.

Of their nomination, FLO said: "Girl groups are back and we want to pave the way for more artists to achieve their dreams. We hope that this is the first of many BRIT nominations for FLO.”

You may be less familiar with Nia Archives, a lo-fi jungle raver that hails from Leeds. Moving from Manchester to London for uni, Nia's first EP  Headz Gone West was all mafe in the early hours of the morning and helped her sign to Island.

Nia Archives says of her Rising Star nod: "Words won’t describe how I’m feeling about being nominated for the BRITs Rising Star. Growing up and watching it on TV, I really never thought it could happen to someone like me. I'm just so overwhelmed and happy right now."

The winner of the 2023 BRIT Rising Star Award in support with BBC Radio 1 will be announced next week, on Thursday December 8.

The BRITs Rising Star award shortlist is selected by an invited panel of music editors and critics from the national press, online music editors, heads of music at major radio and music TV stations plus songwriters, producers and live bookers - those working with new rising talent on a regular basis.