Faringdon-educated rapper S1MBA is up for Best British Single at tonight’s Brit Awards.

He is nominated for Rover featuring DTG against other nominees including Dua Lipa, Harry Styles and Stormzy.

Rover reached number three on the UK singles chart after going viral on TikTok.

S1mba – real name Leonard Rwodzi - moved from Harare to Swindon at nine years old before his father was given the job of head gardener at the Pusey Estate near Faringdon.

He attended a school in Faringdon then New College in Swindon where he studied music production and music technology, eventually recording his debut single The Plan in the college's music studio.

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After his nomination, the 22-year-old told the Swindon Advertiser: “It’s crazy, I never thought I’d be nominated for a Brit this early in my career.

“It was only last year that I was getting excited that my song was in the charts and now being recognised like this is amazing, it’s the best thing ever.”

The Brit Awards, hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, will take place later today in front of a 4,000-strong live audience without social distancing or face masks at London's O2 Arena.

The show is part of the Government's pilot scheme for reopening live events.

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