What are The BRIT Awards – British Music Awards
The BRIT Awards are one of the most prestigious and well-known music awards in the world. Established in 1977, the awards celebrate the best of British music, recognizing the outstanding achievements of artists, producers, and songwriters in the music industry. This article will explore the history of The BRIT Awards 2023, the categories and awards that are presented, and the impact that the awards have had on the music industry.
The night is one to remember from outrageous fashion to awkward speeches. So, why are these music awards so key to the music industry? We take a look back at how the awards have influenced the British music experience.
What are the Brit Awards 2023?
The British Phonographic Industry’s annual popular music awards (aka The BRITs) is simply a pop music award ceremony held every year. Recognised for competitive award categories, the ceremony boasts exclusive performances from chart-topping artists.
The BRIT Awards 2023 are pretty much the UK’s answer to the Grammys. Celebrating the best of British music artists and welcoming international stars to the stage.
The BRIT Awards 2023
When is the brit awards 2023?
11th February 2023
What time is the brit awards 2023
8 pm GMT
The O2 arena was filled with fans, BRIT School students, artists and music industry guests for the BRIT Awards 2023 with Mastercard. This event marked the first time in 43 years that it has taken place on a Saturday night. It was broadcasted live on ITV1 and ITVX as well as streamed on YouTube for non-UK viewers. Fifteen awards were presented throughout the afternoon and evening alongside some incredible live performances from renowned artists.
Award-winning comedian Mo Gilligan kicked off the party with an opening skit inspired by The Masked Singer. It was only made better when global superstar Harry Styles took the stage. He performed ‘As It Was’, the UK’s biggest-selling single of 2022, on a beautiful blue set.
The O2 arena was undoubtedly “Harry’s House” as the global superstar won in all four categories he was nominated for. His third studio album, Harry’s House – the biggest-selling UK album of 2022 – was awarded Mastercard Album of the Year and his No. 1 single ‘As It Was’ won Song of the Year with Mastercard. Harry received Artist of the Year from Emily in Paris stars Lucien Lavinscount and Camille Razat. To complete his tally of four wins, he was confirmed as Pop/R&B Act – one of four fan-voted genre awards.
The BRIT Awards 2023 Winners
AWARD – HIP HOP/GRIME/RAP ACT
Winner – Aitch
Presenters: Declan Rice / Jodie Turner Smith
AWARD – INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Winner – Beyoncé
Presenters: Georgia May Jagger / Rhys Connah
AWARD – DANCE ACT
Winner – Becky Hill
Presenters: Alex Scott / Emily Atack
AWARD – POP/R&B ACT
Winner: Harry Styles
Presenter: Salma Hayek Pinault
AWARD – BEST NEW ARTIST
Winner: Wet Leg
Presenters: Tom Grennan / Ellie Goulding
AWARD – ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Winner: Harry Styles
Presenters: Lucian Laviscount / Camille Razat
AWARD – INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Winner: Fontaines D.C.
Presenters: Maya Jama / Clara Amfo / Roman Kemp
AWARD – GROUP OF THE YEAR
Winner: Wet Leg
Presenters: Leigh Anne Pinnock / Chloe Kelly
AWARD – INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR
Winner: Beyoncé ‘Break My Soul’
Presenter: Naomi Ackie
AWARD – ALTERNATIVE/ROCK ACT
Winner: The 1975
Presenters: Daisy May Cooper / Selin Hizu
AWARD – SONG OF THE YEAR
Winner: Harry Styles ‘As It Was’
Presenter: Shania Twain
AWARD – PRODUCER
WINNER: David Guetta
Presenter: Norman Cook
AWARD – MASTERCARD ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Winner: Harry Styles ‘Harry’s House’
Presenter: Stanley Tucci
The BRIT Awards 2020
Over the years The BRIT Awards have always given us something to talk about. We have watched as some of the biggest stars in the music industry put on show-stopping performances and this year was no exception.
When are the BRIT Awards?
It was a standout year as The BRITS celebrated its 40th anniversary. February 2020 saw London’s O2 arena filled with a new generation of pop stars on the line up from Billie Eilish to Mabel and Dave to Lewis Capaldi.
The show aired on ITV Tuesday 18 February from 8 pm until 10 pm, with red carpet highlights being shown on ITV2 from 7 pm.
As enjoyable as it can be to watch a cringe-worthy on-stage outburst or awkward awards show fail, the true office gossip comes from the performances which leave you wanting more.
The wave of new talent has definitely hit the scene this year with pop evolving at an ever-increasing rate. Previous winners such as Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift didn’t manage to get a look-in. The winners were decided this year by the 2020 Official Voting Academy including around 1200 British music industry experts such as artists, retailers, promoters, agents, publishers, labels, producers and media.
As the award show reaches its 40th year, there have been a lot of significant changes introduced to the awards ceremony. The organisers have handed over more control to artists so they can have more of a say in their performances. The award categories were also revamped on the night to just nine, meaning plenty more time for the music performances.
The BRIT Awards 2020 Winners
Artists were encouraged to create performances distinctive to them, which guaranteed memorable moments at the 2020 UK music awards. With only nine awards being presented on the night it meant more recognition for those who took home the prize.
The Critics’ Choice has been renamed as the Rising Star Award and was awarded this year to singer Celeste. As the winner, she received the classic Lady Britannia Brit statuette, after nearly a decade of rest having been re-designed each year since 2011 by a guest designer.
Winner of the international female award was awarded to the amazing Billie Eilish, she has perfected her art as she started creating hits from her childhood bedroom.
However, the night’s big winner was Lewis Capaldi taking home two awards. His worldwide hit and the heartfelt ballad ‘Someone You Loved’ is similar to that of Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’. His infectious sense of humour and likability came across during his speech as he thanked his mum and dad ‘for making love’, and awkwardly dedicated his prize to his late grandmother.
BRITs 2020: Full Winners List
- Best album Dave – Psychodrama
- Best British female – Mabel
- Best British male – Stormzy
- Best British group – Foals
- Best new artist – Lewis Capaldi
- Best song – Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved
- International female – Billie Eilish
- International male – Tyler, The Creator
- Rising star award – Celeste
The outstanding contribution award didn’t feature in the 2020 ceremony and the awards for Best British Video and the best international group were also dropped. With countless memorable winners and performances to pick from, we look back at the ones who have stood the test of time.
Outstanding Contribution Award
The category for Outstanding Contribution is a Lifetime Achievement award and has been around since The BRIT Awards began, with the very first winners of the award being The Beatles back in 1977, so, it was a surprise that this category was eliminated for the 2020 ceremony.
Sir Rod Stewart was the final performer of the night as he joined Billie Eilish, Celeste, Dave, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Lizzo, Mabel and Stormzy! Stewart first performed at The BRITs in 1993 where he picked up the Outstanding Contribution award, one of his many global accolades.
Pink is the latest artist to win the award in 2019 which coincided with the release of her single ‘Walk Me Home‘. The star put on an extravagant performance, with multiple outfit changes as well as a duet with Dan Smith from the British band Bastille.
Notable Outstanding Contribution Winners
- Queen – 1990
Presented by Terry Ellis a year before Freddie Mercury’s death in 1990, Queen were awarded the Outstanding Contribution BRIT Award.
- Status Quo – 1991
The English rock band picked up the award in 1991
- Sir Elton John – 1995
Sting presented Elton John with his BRIT in 1995.
- David Bowie – 1996
Prime Minister Tony Blair presented the award to David Bowie in 1996. The megastar from Brixton was acknowledged with the Icon award in 2016, following his death in January of the same year.
- Spice Girls – 2000
In the late 90s ‘Girl Power’ took the world by storm. The Spice Girls were handed the award by Will Smith, two years after Geri Halliwell showed off her iconic Union Jack dress at the BRITs.
- Sting – 2002
Kylie Minogue was given the honour of handing Sting (A former member of The Police) his Outstanding Contribution Award in 2002.
Famous BRITs winners
As this year’s winners took to the stage, we were thinking about some of the previous ceremonies and the Top 10 most iconic BRIT winners.
Robbie Williams
Robbie has bagged himself a whopping 18 BRIT Awards. He has achieved a record win with more Brit Awards than any other artist in music history. He took home his first award back in 1998 with a steady winning streak up until his latest in 2017.
Coldplay
Seasoned BRITs Veterans Coldplay has won an impressive nine BRIT Awards, since their first album back in 2001. They have won Best British Group a record FOUR times.
Adele
Previous BRIT School graduate and absolute BRITs queen have nine BRITs to her name, matching Coldplay. Adele stole the show in 2012, as she won both Best British Album for ’21’ and British Female Solo Artist. In 2016 she had a successful sweep when she won 3 out of 4 awards she was nominated for.
Take That
Back in their very early days, the boys picked up Best British Single for ‘Could It Be Magic’ in 1993. Over 20 years Take that have racked up 8 gongs in total, including Best British Group in 2011.
Annie Lennox
Before Adele had taken the world by storm, Annie Lennox was already considered the undisputed queen of the BRITs. Her career spans three decades winning an impressive 8 BRITS throughout!
Arctic Monkeys
The Sheffield band have managed to pick up 7 BRIT Awards, they had a memorable moment in 2014 when frontman Alex Turner pulled off a mic drop on stage as part of his acceptance speech saying ‘Invoice me for the microphone’ after winning Best British Album. Later justifying it to Mojo explaining ‘What else was I supposed to do?’
One Direction
It’s hard to think that this British pop boyband was put together on the XFactor. They have had an impressive career and achieved Best British Single in 2012, BRITs Global Success in 2013 and 2014, as well as British Video for an amazing four years in a row from 2014.
U2
The most successful international artist from the BRITs is no other than the Irish rock band U2, with an impressive 7 awards to their name.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson is one of the few to win EVERY Brit he was nominated for!
He picked up the coveted ‘Artist of A Generation’ Award in 1996, topped off with a memorable performance. He has also earned himself 5 other BRITs.
Oasis
Mancunian rock band Oasis was awarded six BRIT awards across their career, and unforgettably in 2010 they were presented with the BRITs Album Of 30 Years for their influential record ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’.
BRITS Performances and Controversy
Live performance is the essence of the music industry. The BRITs 2020 didn’t disappoint as we saw that energy along with audience interaction celebrated in almighty fashion.
Dave
Dave’s performance was one that got everyone talking as he took to his piano to perform ‘Black’. In his extended version of the song he created verses for the night on
demanding justice for the Windrush generation and the victims of Grenfell. He earned himself a standing ovation at the O2 Arena and the performance was immediately trending online.
Adele
Some of the most thrilling performances in BRIT’s history include Someone Like You performed by Adele in 2011. The performance is enough to give you goosebumps and is arguably the moment which excelled Adele’s career into pop stardom.
Adele returned to the BRITs stage in 2012 after an incredible year for the artist. She dominated the ceremony as she won two prizes including Best British Female at the BRIT Awards ceremony, but was at the centre of controversy as her speech was cut short after she picked up the prize for Best British Album.
The 1975
Controversy has hit the BRITs stage over the years. At the 2017 BRIT Awards, The 1975 had a cheeky go at their critics as they took to the stage. During their performance, they displayed messages across giant screens at the O2 Arena such as ‘out of tune’ and ‘shallow’.
Viewers were perplexed and believed the show had been hacked by someone who disliked the band. The reality was that the quotes were used in their video for ‘The Sound’, from their album ‘I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It’.
Jessie J
Jessie J hit out at the BRIT Awards in 2016, for failing to recognise her as a performer at the UK Music Award show. Just like Adele she attended the BRIT School and was awarded the Critic’s Choice in 2011.
With a further two British Female Solo Artist nominations (in 2012 and 2014) she has never been asked to perform at the ceremony. She is considered one of ‘the greatest singers in the US’ after performances at the Grammys and VMAs but has never performed at the BRITs.
Amy Winehouse
Globally recognised BRIT School Alumni and one of the most iconic soul singers was Amy Winehouse. By the time she performed ‘Rehab’ at the 2007 Brit Awards, she was no stranger to controversy. Many knew who she was but it wasn’t always for her music.
Getting back on the stage allowed her to remind everyone of her incredible talent and what made her famous in the first place. Her talent shone through and she was able to make the Brit’s stage feel like an intimate lounge set.
One Direction
Having performed back in 2013 with ‘One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)’, One Direction took home their seventh Brit in 2017, for British Artist Video of the Year. Their sentimental ‘History’ video beat off competition from nine other nominees, including ‘Pillowtalk’ from former bandmate Zayn.
Accepting the award on behalf of the band was Liam Payne. He was the only member in attendance at the ceremony that year and was presented with the award from Simon Cowell the recording head of 1D. Despite not being there on the night Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles thanked their fans on Twitter.
Harry Styles
Following the One Direction hiatus, Harry Styles launched his solo career. Returning to the BRITs Stage he captivated the audience as he performed at the 2020 Brit Awards.
He performed a heart-rending version of his single “Falling” while wearing a white lace jumpsuit. He captured the emotion of the song as he finished off the piano ballad, on a flooded stage.
It’s clear to see that the BRIT Awards are an important night for the British music industry and celebrate British music artists.
If you see yourself as the next up-and-coming artist why not submit your music here or find out how you can collaborate with other artists?
Impact on the Industry
The Brit Awards has had a significant impact on the music industry, both in terms of recognition and commercial success. It has become one of the most prestigious music awards in the world and is seen as a benchmark for success in the UK music industry.
The awards ceremony has become an important promotional platform for artists and labels to gain exposure and recognition. It has also had an influence on the UK charts. Many of the winners and nominees go on to achieve chart success. The Brit Awards has also helped to shape the public’s perception of music. It has been instrumental in introducing new genres and artists to the mainstream.
We know the BRIT Awards 2020 is a night sure to be remembered!
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