Luton singer-songwriter Myles Smith has been crowned the winner of the prestigious BRITs Rising Star 2025 award, cementing his place as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging talents, 40 years after the last Lutonian to scoop honours at the British music awards.
The accolade, which gives a clue to future chart-topping success, places Smith in the same esteemed company as global superstars like Adele and Ellie Goulding, who were previous winners.
And Smith’s victory marks a historic moment for Lutonians, as he joins legendary 1980s pop star Paul Young who won the British Breakthrough Act at the BRIT Awards in 1984.
Young put Luton on the musical map by winning the British Breakthrough Act at the 1984 BRIT Awards, and went on to achieve global fame with hits like ‘Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)’ and ‘Love of the Common People’.
Now, Smith follows in those illustrious footsteps, flying the flag for Luton as the 26-year-old artist edged out indie-rock duo Good Neighbours and soul sensation Elmiene to claim the coveted prize.
Smith said: “Winning the BRIT award for Rising Star is such a surreal moment. Music has always been about connecting with people, and to see it resonate on this level is incredible.
“I’m so grateful to my team, my family, and especially the fans who’ve supported me every step of the way. Your belief in me means everything. This is just the beginning, and I’m so excited for what’s to come—thank you for being part of this journey.”
Myles Smith’s journey from Luton to the BRITs stage has been one of persistence and creativity. Drawing on inspirations as diverse as Adele, Green Day, and Labrinth, Smith has carved out a sound that resonates with fans across genres. He first gained recognition for his acoustic cover of The Neighbourhood’s ‘Sweater Weather’ on TikTok.
He made his festival debut in Luton, when BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend was held in Stockwood Park in May, where he and his band members played to a packed Introducing stage wear Luton Town Football Club shirts. He went on to play the world-famous Glastonbury Festival, complete a mammoth sold-out north American tour and has recently been named BBC Artist of the Year.
His popularity has been buoyed by the global smash-hit song ‘Stargazing’ which scored him his first UK Top 10 single with ‘Stargazing’, a soulful track that peaked at number 4 in the UK charts among 26 weeks in the Top 10. He played the track on US network television, on the Jimmy Kimmel Show as the track went viral on social media, with over 823 million streams on Spotify alone and 1.4 billion global streams overall in 2024.
His follow-up single, ‘Nice To Meet You’, debuted at Number 12 in November, further solidifying his rising star status, with his songs spending a total of 31 weeks in the UK Top 40.
His debut EP, ‘You Promised A Lifetime’, also reached Number 30 on the Official Albums Downloads Chart, showcasing his knack for heartfelt storytelling and catchy melodies. Smith’s music has found a global audience, making him one of Luton’s most successful musical exports.
He is set to release his debut album in 2025 as well as returning to tour north America in the new year, with some UK dates including a sold-out Shepherd’s Bush Empire night in London, and he will also support his music hero Ed Sheeran on his European tour.
Smith’s global success this year has been nothing short of remarkable. In the United States, he claimed the No.1 spot on Top 40, Hot AC, and Alternative radio charts, while also reaching No.1 on Pop radio. Notably, Smith set a record for the largest leap to number one in the history of the Hot AC chart. Meanwhile, ‘Stargazing’ has become the longest-running Billboard Hot 100 track by a UK artist in 2024, where it currently holds its peak position at number 20.
RCA (Smith’s record label) co-president Glyn Aikins told Music Week: “Myles has had an extraordinary year in 2024 but it’s important to recognise that this hasn’t been an overnight success by any means.
“His journey from his school’s music room and open mic nights to cultivating an online audience and then selling out tours across the UK, Europe, South Africa and America is reflected in his work ethic, openness and his sheer dedication to his growing fanbase.”
Aitkins added: “Myles is achieving incredible career milestones because of his authenticity and deep connection with his fans, but also his tenacity.
“He is hyper aware of what’s going on around him in the world and is extremely tapped in with how to connect with fans in the real world and online. He’s not afraid to grow, evolve and try new things. And that alongside his talent, personal story telling and electric live performances make him the special artist that he is.”
