LONDON (CelebrityAccess) — This year’s Brit Awards saw grime artist Stormzy and pop music singer-songwriter Dua Lipa take top honors at the annual awards show, winning British Male and Female solo artist, respectively.
Lipa, who was the first female artist to pick up five Brit nominations in a single year, took the trophy for British Breakthrough Act, which recognizes artists who are new to the scene.
“I also want to thank every single female that has been on this stage before me, that has given girls like me, not just girls in the music industry but girls in society, [a] place to be inspired by, to look up to, and that have allowed us to dream this big,” Lipa said. “Here’s to more women on these stages, more women winning awards and more women taking over the world,” Liupa said, accepting her award.
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewitt’s virtual group Gorillaz took top honors for British Group, while Ed Sheeran, who was nominated in four groups, took home just one Brit Award for Global Success.
Lorde, Kendrick Lamar, and The Foo Fighters won awards for International Female, Male and Group respectively, while former One Direction member Harry Styles picked up a win for British Artist Video of the Year.
Performances for the night included Ed Sheeran, who provided a raw rendition of “Supermarket Flowers” from his album Divide, and Stormzy, who delivered a rain-soaked rendition of his hit “Blinded By Your Grace Pt 2.”
Absent from the list of performers for the evening was Ariana Grande, who had been lined up to perform a tribute to the victims of the deadly bombing attack that targeted her concert in Manchester last May. Grande missed the show after calling in sick.
Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the Brit Awards, said that “on doctor’s orders” Grande was unable to travel to the show.
Filling in for Grande was Liam Gallagher, who performed “Live Forever” for the tribute.
English comedian, actor and television presenter Jack Whitehall handled the hosting duties for the awards show, which took place at The O2 Arena in London.
British Female Solo Artist: Dua Lipa
British Male Solo Artist: Stormzy
International Group: Foo Fighters
British Single: Rag’n’Bone Man – ‘Human’
International Male Solo Artist: Kendrick Lamar
British Breakthrough Act: Dua Lipa
International Female Solo Artist: Lorde
British Group: Gorillaz
Global Success: Ed Sheeran
British Artist Video of the Year: Harry Styles
Mastercard British Album of the Year: Stormzy – ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’
BRITs Critics’ Choice: Jorja Smith
Producer of the Year: Steve Mac
