The last male artist to win the prize, which tips British acts for pop success, was Sam Fender in 2019

The Brit awards has unveiled its all-male shortlist for the 2025 Rising Star award – formerly known as Critics’ Choice – which tips British acts for pop success.

Oxford-born singer-songwriter Elmiene, AKA Abdala Elamin, writes soulful R&B inspired by his formative love of Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and D’Angelo. He has previously written with artists including Stormzy and Sampha, and released his debut EP, Marking My Time, in January via Def Jam/Polydor. He told Rolling Stone that he anticipates releasing his debut album in 2025, and aspires to full-length releases as “a complete project”, citing the catalogues of D’Angelo and Prince as touchstones.