Elmiene, Good Neighbors and Myles Smith make up the all-male Brits Rising Star | shortlist British awards

The Brit Awards have announced their all-male shortlist for the 2025 Rising Star Awards – formerly known as Critics’ Choice – which gives British artists tips for pop success.

Oxford-born singer-songwriter Elmiene, aka Abdala Elamin, writes soulful R&B inspired by his formative love of Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and D’Angelo. He has previously written with artists such as Stormzy and Sampha and released his debut EP Marking My Time via Def Jam/Polydor in January. He told Rolling Stone that he expects to release his debut album in 2025 and is targeting full-length releases as a “complete project,” citing D’Angelo and Prince’s catalogs as touchstones.

In a statement, Elmiene said: “If I could put into words the feeling of being nominated, I would say it’s like being completely satisfied with a meal you bought and then finding out with dessert and a drink included. “I didn’t know it could get any better.”

The East London duo Good Neighbors consists of Oli Fox and Scott Verrill, who make indie pop in the style of Bleachers, Foster the People or the early MGMT. Both previously worked as pop songwriters. Earlier this year they released their debut single “Home” on Some Action and re-released it after signing with Capitol Records; A self-titled EP followed. The pair are also longlisted for the BBC Sound of 2025 award.

The duo said: “We created Good Neighbors just for the fun of it, so to be nominated for a real British award at this point in our careers is the greatest honor.”

The final nominee is Luton songwriter Myles Smith – also on the BBC list – whose epic, soulful ballad “Stargazing” was ubiquitous this year, reaching number 4 in the UK singles chart and going platinum. In 2020, he launched as a cover artist on TikTok, began releasing original material, and signed with Sony RCA.

Smith said: “Growing up in Luton, I started performing in pubs and open mic nights when I was just 12 years old and music quickly became my way of understanding the world and connecting with others “This recognition seems to be a reflection of this journey – the highs, the challenges and the incredible people who have supported me along the way.”

The 2025 shortlist marks the first time a man has been nominated for the award since rapper Pa Salieu in 2021; The last male artist to win was Sam Fender in 2019. The Last Dinner Party won the award this year.

The award was created in 2008 and was won by Adele in its first year. It is voted for by a select jury of music journalists, radio and TV musicians as well as songwriters, producers and booking agents. All UK artists – and acts with indefinite leave to remain – who have not had an album in the UK top 20 or more than one top 20 placement in the UK top 40 by October 31, 2024 are eligible.

The winner will be announced on BBC Radio 1’s New Music Show with Jack Saunders on December 5th.