Rina Sawayama and Griff share Abbey Road performances after BRITs Rising Star nominations

15 March 2021, 16:03 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(Rina Sawayama) (Griff)

Rina Sawayama and Griff, who are shortlisted for the BRITs Rising Star Award alongside Pa Salieu, have both shared performances of songs filmed at Abbey Road following their nomination last week.

Last week, Rina Sawayama, Griff and Pa Salieu were shortlisted for this year's BRITs Rising Star Award. Ahead of the winner being announced this Friday (19 March), Sawayama and Griff have shared performances of songs filmed at Abbey Road to celebrate the nomination.

Griff performed "Black Hole" for her BRITs 2021 Rising Star Session, while Sawayama delivered a full band performance of "XS" from her debut album SAWAYAMA.

Sawayama's nomination comes after the British-Japanese artist had discussions with BPI and their eligibility rules for the BRIT Awards and Mercury Prize, which resulted in the rules being amended last month. Now, artists that don't have a British citizenship but have permanently lived in the UK for five years or more will be eligible for both awards.

Speaking about her BRITs nomination, Sawayama said, "It's really especially a big deal for me to be shortlisted for Rising Star because, ahh I'm going to get emotional, but I actually wouldn't have been eligible this time last year, so it's a really big deal..Telling my mom was amazing, she was so proud. I'm just super, super grateful. "

The BRITs Rising Star Award winner will be announced Friday, 19 March.