Caity Baser, The Last Dinner Party, and Sekou shortlisted for BRITs Rising Star Award 2024

Caity Baser, the 21-year-old singer & songwriter from a council estate in Southampton, has gone from working in a supermarket, writing songs in her bedroom to being the UK's one to watch pop star. Her first singles include "Friendly Sex", "X&Y" and recent breakthrough record "Pretty Boys" from her forthcoming mixtape.

Speaking of being shortlisted for the BRITs Rising Star Award, she said: “When I heard that I've been nominated for the BRITs Rising Star award this year, I literally screamed for 5 minutes and chucked everything around my room!! I used to watch the awards on TV every year when I was a kid but had no idea how a kid from an estate in Southampton would ever get there. Now to be shortlisted for the Rising Star award for next year...me! Little old me… All I have to say is I am so happy and thank you so much. It's really a dream come true!”

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At the turn of the year, The Last Dinner Party was little more than a new name being shared by those that had inadvertently caught them live. Spending much of 2022 adding to their older songs, writing new ones, road-testing them all, and taking the fruits of that process into the studio to record with producer James Ford, it wasn’t until April 2023 that the band released their debut single, "Nothing Matters" and seemingly everyone had quickly formed an opinion on them. Their debut album, Prelude To Ecstacy, is set for release next year.

“We’re so honoured and thrilled to be nominated for the Rising Star award! It’s very overwhelming and exciting to be up for something as prestigious as a BRIT at this stage in our career and we’re so grateful. We’ve had an amazing year and can’t wait for all that’s to come," the band says.

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Born and raised in Ashby, Leicester, Sekou gained recognition, aged 16, after posting soulful covers online, leading to his discovery by NWS Music. With roots in the church and an appreciation for Gospel music, Sekou draws inspiration from legends such as Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, and Beyoncé, whilst bringing a blend of classic soul and contemporary pop to his music. His breakout single, "Better Man", was performed for the first time at BBC Introducing's tent at Glastonbury in 2022 (selected by Arlo Parks and presenter Dean Jackson). Sekou's up-tempo follow-up single "Forgiving Myself" and debut EP, Out of Mind, further highlighted his artistry and solidified his place in the music industry.

“Being nominated for BRITs Rising Star is absolutely crazy," he says. I grew up in a small town and watched the BRITs every single year. The performances were always amazing - Adele, Amy, Sam Smith, Beyoncé. I remember being 10 years old when Adele sang "Someone Like You" for the first time and being like… YES that’s gonna be me one day. Don’t even get me started on Beyoncé. I’m so grateful to be considered for this. For me, this feels like God telling me to continue to work harder and keep pushing."

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The Rising Star award has, since its inception in 2008 (originally known as Critics’ Choice), successfully predicted the future stars of music through an impressive roll call of nominees and winners; those who have been awarded The BRITs Rising Star award previously include Adele, Sam Smith, Sam Fender, Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine, Griff and the 2023 winner FLO (the first group to receive the award), and artists nominated for the award previously include Dua Lipa, Anne-Marie, Lewis Capaldi, Cat Burns, Michael Kiwanuka, Mabel, Years & Years.