2021’s BRIT Awards was finally able to take place last night, with artists, celebs, media types and Jack Whitehall all in the 02 Arena.
The ceremony was one of the government’s Covid Pilot Events, with a 4000 strong crowd made up mostly of key workers. Coldplay opened proceedings, playing new single “Higher Power” on the Thames. Arlo Parks won the first gong of the evening, picking up the statue for Breakthrough Artist, before playing an immaculate rendition of her track ‘Hope’.
J Hus scooped the award for Male Solo Artist, fending off competition from other worthy suiters, AJ Tracey, Joel Corry and Headie One. Harry Styles’ ‘Watermelon Sugar’ won him the British Single award, Styles was dressed to impress (as usual) and smouldered his way through the acceptance speech.
Dua Lipa was the biggest winner of the night, bagging both the Mastercard Album of the Year and Female Solo Artist awards. She used her speech to bring attention to the plight of healthcare workers, even calling out PM Boris Johnson to reward NHS workers with a pay-rise.
Whilst Jack Whitehall blasted through a variety of material and cultural references, Little Mix scored the British Group award. Megastar Billie Eilish won the International Female Solo Artist award and following a windswept, live streamed performance The Weekend picked up International Male Solo Artist.
International Group seemed like the ‘group of death’ of the night, RTJ and Fontaines DC released career defining work last year, Foo Fighters are rock royalty and BTS command a chillingly large fanbase worldwide. It was Haim who came out on top however, winning the award off the back of their seminal album ‘Women In Music Pt. III’.
The BRITS really seem to have outdone themselves in terms of diversity, its brilliant to see women and people of colour represented (and more importantly) winning across the board. The ceremony seems like a kick in the right direction – crowds back in rooms with live music, we’re almost there.
The full list of BRIT Award winners are as follows:
Global Icon
Taylor Swift – winner
Rising Star
Griff – winner
Breakthrough Artist
Arlo Parks – winner
Bicep
Celeste
Joel Corry
Young T & Bugsey
Male Solo Artist
AJ Tracey
Headie One
J Hus – winner
Joel Corry
Yungblud
Female Solo Artist
Arlo Parks
Celeste
Dua Lipa – winner
Jessie Ware
Lianne La Havas
British Single
220 Kid & Gracey – ‘Don’t Need Love’
Aitch & AJ Tracey ft Tae Keith – ‘Rain’
Dua Lipa – ‘Physical’
Harry Styles – ‘Watermelon Sugar’ – winner
Headie One ft AJ Tracey & Stormzy – ‘Ain’t It Different’
Joel Corry ft MNEK – ‘Head & Heart’
Nathan Dawe ft KSI – ‘Lighter’
Regard & Raye – ‘Secrets’
Simba ft DTG – ‘Rover’
Young T & Bugsey ft Headie One – ‘Don’t Rush’
British Group
Bicep
Biffy Clyro
Little Mix – winners
The 1975
Young T & Bugsey
International Group
BTS
Fontaines D.C.
Foo Fighters
Haim – winners
Run The Jewels
International Female Solo Artist
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish – winner
Cardi B
Miley Cyrus
Taylor Swift
International Male Solo Artist
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Childish Gambino
Tame Impala
The Weeknd – winner
Mastercard Album Of The Year
Arlo Parks – ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams’
Celeste – ‘Not Your Muse’
Dua Lipa – ‘Future Nostalgia’ – winner
J Hus – ‘Big Conspiracy’
Jessie Ware – ‘What’s Your Pleasure’
