Oh, well done. Good guess. The winner of the BRITs 2018 Critics Choice Award (given to a British artist predicted for future success) is your friendly Walsall-born, London-based singer Jorja Smith. This means that she’ll definitely be at the awards show on 21 February, guaranteed a prize, and destined to perform live to not just an O2 Arena full of screaming fans and suited industry bigwigs, but a global audience on telly too. In last week’s shortlist she was up against the mononymous Mabel and US-conquering rapper Stefflon Don, but came out on top.
In winning the award, 20-year-old Drake-collaborator Jorja proves that she’s not just one of those Beautiful Little Fools, by following in the footsteps of previous i-D cover star Adele. “I cannot believe it, it’s been an unforgettable 2017 during which I’ve fulfilled so many of my dreams and this is such a special way to end the year,” Jorja said, “and to be part of an all-female shortlist alongside Mabel and Stefflon Don, who’ve both had incredible 2017s, makes it even better! There’s lots more to come in 2018 from all of us and I will do my best to make it another memorable year!”
