Dua Lipa and Stormzy dominate 2018 Brit Awards
February 22, 2018
South London rapper Stormzy (above right) beat off competition from Ed Sheeran to win the best male solo award and best album (for "Gang Signs & Prayer") at the British Record Industry Trust awards, held in London on Wednesday.
"My mum and all my family are here, we done it!" he said on picking up his second award.
Singer-songwriter and former model Dua Lipa (above left) was named best female solo artist and won best breakthrough act, while Ed Sheeran took the global success award but lost in the three other categories. One Direction star Harry Styles won for video of the year by a British artist.
Read more: Bowie posthumously wins main Brit award
In what felt like a symbolic handover between generations, Sheeran's prize was introduced by a video message from Elton John. The 27-year-old received his trophy from Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, who called Sheeran "a lovely young guy."
Foo Fighters took the prize for international group, while US rapper Kendrick Lamar was named best international male artist, receiving his award from football star Harry Kane. New Zealand singer Lorde took the international female solo artist honors.
The event featured performances from the likes of Sheeran, Lipa and Lamar, who rapped on top of a glass cube containing a luxury car that was smashed up by a man wielding a bat. Justin Timberlake opened the show with a rendition of "Say Something" accompanied by a large choir.
Read more: Ed Sheeran: Pop star from the streets of London
Political messages
Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn got political during his acceptance speech for best British group when he made allusions to Brexit
"This country is a lovely place, its part of a beautiful world, but don't let it become isolated, don't let yourselves be cut off," he said.
But the entire ceremony had a political edge, with many stars wearing white roses in solidarity with the Time's Up and #Metoo movements highlighting sexual harassment in the entertainment industry.
Read more: German film industry addresses gender inequality at the Berlinale
"It does make a difference," Lipa told Reuters on the red carpet of the protest. "We are protesting in our own way and this how we're going to make a difference."
The show also saw Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher perform "Live Forever" in a tribute to the 22 victims of a suicide bombing attack on a venue hosting a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande in Manchester last May.
sb (AP, AFP Reuters)