The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama recently celebrated her Brits Rising Star nomination with a performance of single XS. Sawayama performed at the iconic Abbey Road Studios with the 90s R&B-inspired third single from her debut album SAWAYAMA, which was released last April. In an interview with Pitchfork Sawayama explained the inspiration behind the jarring pop hit XS:
“XS is a song that mocks capitalism in a sinking world. Given that we all know global climate change is accelerating and human extinction is a very real possibility within our lifetime it seemed hilarious to me that brands were still coming out with new makeup palettes every month and public figures were doing a gigantic house tour of their gated property in Calabasas in the same week as doing a ‘sad about Australian wild fires’ Instagram post.”
Rina continued “I wanted to reflect the chaos of this post-truth climate change denying world in the metal guitar stabs that flare up like an underlying zit between the 2000s R&B beat that reminds you of a time when everything was alright.”
On her nomination Sawayama remarked: “I literally fell to the floor when I found out that I’d been nominated for Rising Star. I really can’t put into words how much this means to me given that I wasn’t eligible for this award a few weeks ago and now that door has been opened for future generations of artists like myself. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me, it means the world.” Sawayama is nominated alongside Coventry rapper Pa Salieu and singer-songwriter Griff in the category previously awarded to rising stars including Celeste, Sam Fender, and Jorja Smith.
Sawayama’s BRIT nomination comes after she revealed that she wasn’t able to enter the Mercury Prize last year as she was not eligible to enter as a British artist under its rules. The singer is of Japanese origin, however, holds an indefinite leave to remain visa since moving to London at the age of five. Since Sawayama’s campaign, the British Phonographic Industry has reconsidered their eligibility criteria for the Mercury Prize and BRIT Awards.
The new rules mean that artists without British citizenship are eligible for the awards if they have resided in the country for five years or more. Sawayama responded to the change, speaking to NME she praised the BPI.
“I do applaud BPI for going above and beyond. I didn’t think they’d include the clause of five years [of UK residence], I thought they’d go for 10 years. And they’ve included people who were born here but might have been living somewhere else. It’s really fantastic.”
Tune into the BRIT Awards on Tuesday 11 May on ITV.
