Pulp, the celebrated Britpop band, has received its first BRIT Award nomination in thirty years. This marks a significant milestone for the group, as it comes just three decades after lead singer Jarvis Cocker famously interrupted Michael Jackson‘s performance at the BRIT Awards in 1996. Cocker’s audacious act involved pulling down his trousers and exposing himself during Jackson’s rendition of “Earth Song,” a moment that remains one of the most talked-about incidents in the history of the awards.
During the performance, Jackson portrayed a god-like figure, surrounded by child actors and images of humanitarian crises. Reacting to what he perceived as an inappropriate display, Cocker rushed onto the stage, bent over, and pretended to break wind. Reflecting on that moment, Cocker stated, “I was just sat there watching it and feeling a bit ill because he’s there doing his Jesus act… I thought I could actually do something about it and say this is rubbish for once.”
The incident shocked audiences, with Jackson later expressing his feelings of being “sickened, saddened, shocked, upset, cheated and angry” by the interruption. Despite the controversy, Pulp has now shifted its focus back to music and is set to compete for the Group of the Year award at the upcoming ceremony.
This nomination comes as Pulp prepares for a rejuvenated phase, following their reunion and the anticipated release of their album, More, scheduled for 2025. They will contend for the award against fellow nominees including Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg, Sleep Token, and Wolf Alice. The ceremony is set to take place on February 28, 2025, in Manchester.
This nomination is particularly poignant for Pulp, as they had previously been nominated for four awards in 1996 but left empty-handed. If they win this time, it will be their first ever BRIT trophy, a long-awaited recognition for their contributions to music over the years.
As fans eagerly anticipate the ceremony, Pulp’s nomination serves as a reminder of their enduring legacy in the music industry, alongside a memorable chapter in BRIT Awards history.
