Ladies night at the Brits as stunning Raye hits them for six
Most-ever wins for an artist who couldn’t get heard three years ago
JUST three years ago, singer Raye was so down on her luck that her own record label wouldn’t even release her music. But in one of the greatest-ever music comebacks, the star sensationally took home six Brit awards last night.
She had been nominated seven times – the most ever for a single artist in a year – but couldn’t possibly have won more than she did, being shortlisted twice for song of the year: for Escapism, which won the title, and for Prada.
At the ceremony at London’s O2 Arena, the 26-year-old collected prizes for best artist, new artist, R&B act and songwriter as well as song and album of the year.
Raye’s stunning success on a strong night for female musicians will delight Brit Awards organisers after last year’s controversy. Then, not a single woman was nominated for artist of the year – which was won by Harry Styles – after separate male and female awards were scrapped in favour of gender-neutral categories.
In keeping with the welcome uptick in recognition of women, two Irish artists were nominated this year.
Dublin singersongwriter CMAT was in the company of heavy hitters like Taylor Swift, and Lana Del Rey for international artist of the year which was won by American singer-songwriter SZA,34. Dubliner Jazzy’s hit track, Giving Me, lost out to Miley Cyrus, 31, who won international song of the year for her hit,
Flowers. Producers also changed the gender balance of presenters, with Love Island anchor Maya Jama, Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo and Capital Radio’s Roman Kemp appearing. As well as Raye’s huge successes, Dua Lipa won best pop act while Kylie Minogue picked up the global icon award. All three performed at the show; Ms Lipa opened the ceremony with Kylie. Feminist indie band Boygenius were named international group of the year
The only men to get accolades were Calvin Harris for dance act; Sheffield quartet Bring Me The Horizon in the alternative/rock category; Casisdead for best hip hop, grime or rap act; and duo Jungle for group of the year.
Before the show started, stars walked the red carpet, with Dublin singer CMAT drawing attention in a backless dress that left little to the imagination.
She said: ‘It does feel like a particularly strong year [for women] and it’s wonderful to see so many incredible female artists who I love and I admire and I listen to.
Ellie Goulding, 37, made her first public appearance since she confirmed she had split from husband Caspar Jopling after nearly five years of marriage.
Fresh off the plane from Costa
Rica where she was seen frolicking in the sea with surf instructor Armando Perez, Ms Goulding took to the O2 stage with Harris, performing their Brit-nominated hit Miracle.
Born in Tooting to a GhanaianSwiss mother and English father, Raye began singing in the church choir. She first found fame in 2016, aged 19, when she featured on Jax Jones’s You Don’t Know Me which peaked at No3 on the UK singles chart.
Her debut album My 21st Century Blues was released independently last year and made No2 in the charts – as well as securing her the Brit Award last night.
‘It does feel like a strong year for women’