You know what’s fun? IRL award ceremonies. No longer do celebrities have to sit in front of their laptop in a gown that nobody can see, with a full face of makeup. Instead (provided they’re likely to win) they get a nice spot at a round table covered in food and booze and hopefully a trophy or two. Acceptance speeches aren’t disrupted by bad WiFi and unfortunate tech screw ups, they’re instead interrupted by real life disgruntled losers, and that’s much more interesting! One award ceremony that’s taking place in person this fall is the UK Music Video Awards 2021: a celebration of the best directors, producers, performers, stylists, cinematographers and more — there are 38 categories in total — who’ve dabbled in the music industry this past year, against all odds. And you know what? They’ve just announced their nominations.
Shortlisted artists whose videos have multiple nominations include Pa Salieu, Lil Nas X, Dua Lipa, Little Simz, Megan Thee Stallion, Joy Crookes, Doja Cat and Berwyn. Right at the top of that hot list sits Little Simz, with five whole nominations — three for “Introvert” (which we spoke to her about here) and two for “Woman”, the beautiful self-directed celebration of her female friends and family, which guest starred the likes of Jordan Dunn, Kesewa Aboah and fellow nominee Joy Crookes. Remember how totally brilliant the video for Pa Salieu’s “My Family” was? Its British Nigerian director Femi Ladi has, quite rightly, been nominated for Best New Director. And there are plenty more where that came from.
For the seventh year in a row, i-D is sponsoring a category that focuses on something that can truly make or break a music video: the fashion. And so, without further ado, the nominations for Best Wardrobe Styling are: Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl”; Priya Ragu’s “Chicken Lemon Rice”; Joy Crookes’ “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now”; Trouble Wanted’s “Lonely Cowgirl”; Tommy Cash’s “Racked” and Little Simz’ “Woman”.
I’m sure you’ll agree that all are very deserving of the award, but unfortunately we can’t snap it into pieces à la Cady Heron’s crown and distribute it among the lot. Nope, at London’s Roundhouse on the night of 4 November 2021, somebody must win! Head here for the full nominations across all categories, and come back soon as we’ll fill you in on the results. Until then, rewatch those six incredibly fashionable music videos. Yes, even Tommy Cash’s “Racked”, which mostly consists of suits of armour and medieval gowns. The effort! The transportive power that has!