BRIT Awards are the UK’s most important music industry awards. This year they were distributed on March 2. Even before the gala, the singer Raye broke a record by receiving as many as 7 award nominations.
Ultimately, the artist left The O2 Arena in London with six awards, which was also a historic result. Previously, the biggest stars of British music had not left the gala with so many awards: the band Blur, Adele and Harry Styles. Raye won statuettes in the most important categories – artist of the year, album of the year, song of the year and author of the year. She also won in the categories: best new artist and best R&B artist.
While receiving the latest award, the one for album of the year, Raye did not hide her tears. “You have no idea how important this is to me. I am proud of this album. I love music. All I wanted was to be an artist, and now I am the artist with the album of the year,” she said, and appeared on stage with her grandmother.
It is worth recalling that the album “My 21st Century Blues” is Raye’s official debut. The album was released after many years of waiting. As the artist emphasized, all attempts to release her first album were blocked by her former record label Polydor, which the artist eventually said goodbye to in controversial circumstances.
“I was tied to a record contract for a third of my life. Freedom turned out to be a huge change. Only then did I start the path to healing. Anger was the strongest feeling inside me at that time,” the artist said in 2022.
“When I was in Polydor“If I released something that people didn’t like, the entire publishing plan was paused, I had to cover someone else’s song, stop my own activities and start over,” she admitted at the time. Raye was also thinking about abandoning music altogether.
Other winners at the gala included: Dua Lipawhich won in the pop and category Miley Cyrus and HUSH, which have won awards in international categories. A long career Kylie Minogue was recognized with a special distinction in the global icon category.
“Somewhere inside me there is still a 14-year-old girl who dreams of starting a musical career,” Minogue said from the stage while accepting the award. Her performance summed up the entire gala. The Australian performed great hits: “Padam Padam”, “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head”, “Love At First Sight” and “All The Lovers”.
In addition, they presented their songs live, among others: Dua Lipa (she performed the last single “Traning Season”), Raye, Calvin Harris with Ellie Goulding and Tate McRae.
Album of the year: Raye – “My 21st Century Blues”
Artist of the Year: Raye
Song of the Year: Raye – “Escapism” (feat. 070 Shake)
Author of the year: Raye
Team of the Year: Jungle
Producer of the Year: Chase & Status
Best Pop Artist: Dua Lipa
Best R&B Artist: Raye
Best Dance/Electronic Artist: Calvin Harris
Best New Artist: Raye
Rising star: The Last Dinner Party
Best Rock/Alternative Artist: Bring Me The Horizon
Best Hip Hop/Grime Artist: Casisdead
International Team of the Year: boygenius
International Artist of the Year: HUSH
International Song of the Year: Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
World Icon: Kylie Minogue.