Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran capture four Brit Awards

LONDON— Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran each won a pair of prizes Wednesday at Britain’s leading music awards, but it took Kanye West to introduce some edge, with a song that proved too strong for television.

And Madonna gave the Brit Awards an unscripted moment when she took a tumble during a performance of “Living For Love.”

Tousle-haired singer Sheeran won prizes for Best British Male Solo Artist and British Album of the Year, for X. Soulful crooner Smith won trophies for British Breakthrough Act and Global Success.

“Since I was a little kid I dreamed of people all over the world singing my songs,” Smith said. “This shows I’m stepping in the right direction.”

The 22-year-old Smith won four Grammys this month, including Record of the Year for “Stay With Me.”

Smith was sultry and Sheeran was sensible, but West provided a dose of raw energy. He performed his raw, grime-influenced new song “All Day,” whose lyrics, peppered with expletives and the n-word, were muted for the show’s live TV broadcast.

Elsewhere there were few surprises at the awards, which recognize international stars alongside homegrown British talent.

West aside, the tone of the evening was accomplished but not edgy, opening with a sleekly saucy performance of “Blank Space” by a blackclad Taylor Swift and ending with an elaborate routine by Madonna.

The queen of pop, who entered wearing a cape carried by dancers, appeared to fall for real during the song, which includes a lyric about stumbling. The song continues “I’m gonna carry on” — and she did, continuing the matador-themed performance.