Swindon rapper S1mba set for BRITs ceremony after 'crazy' nomination
He says it would be 'out of this world' to win
Last updated 12th May 2021
Tonight's BRIT Awards have an extra twist for people across our region, as a young rapper from Swindon is up for a major prize.
Leonard Rwodzi, more widely known as S1mba, has made the shortlist for this year's British Single.
Originally born in Zimbabwe, the 22 year-old moved to Swindon aged nine and went onto study at New College.
His nominated track 'Rover' has been played over 180 million times on Spotify, with more than 21 million streams on YouTube.
The hit single had been originally launched in November 2019, but was re-released last year after going viral on the social media app 'Tik Tok'.
Peaking at number three for the UK Charts in April 2020, the song also sat in the Top 10 for 10 consecutive weeks:
'I was speechless when it happened'
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, S1mba explained his reaction when he was nominated.
"The first thing I did - I didn't even know what to do - was just call my Mum ... she was like: 'I don't believe you!'
"When I told her, it was crazy - we just screamed. I was speechless when it happened. I couldn't really gauge it together, I still didn't believe it. But it's amazing".
A return to live music events?
An audience of 4,000 people is expected at this year's BRITs, as part of a live events pilot scheme from the Government.
It's examining how mass gatherings can take place without the need for social distancing, hoping to pave the way for live music to return in the UK.
2,500 tickets are being allocated to frontline workers across the country, recognising their work in responding to the pandemic.
Audience members will not need to wear face masks, but are required to provide a negative COVID test to attend.
Will S1mba win?
Whilst seeing S1mba win British Single would be a fairytale for many Swindon residents, he faces stiff competition.
Dua Lipa, Harry Styles and Stormzy are amongst the other nominees in S1mba's category, with nine songs all vying for the gong.
The former New College student explained what it would mean to him, if he bagged the BRIT: "For me to win, that's out of this world! I'd probably freeze on stage.
"That would mean the world to me, it would just show me that everything I've worked for so far - it's been worth it. It's meant something.
"Even if I don't win, just to be recognised by something like the BRITs is amazing. Hopefully I'll be there next year".
You can see more from S1mba's interview with our reporter Matt Hutchinson below:
The BRIT Awards 2021 gets underway at 20:00 BST.