Capaldi, Dave rock
chart-topper was named Song Of The Year, he also won the Best New Artist prize. In his acceptance speech Lewis said the track was written for his late grandmother.
Scottish singer-songwriter
Lewis Capaldi and soulful London rapper Dave took top prizes on Tuesday at the UK music industry’s Brit Awards, where Dave brought some political edge to the glossy talent parade. Billie Eilish and Tyler the Creator were among the international winners at the awards, which have been criticised for a dearth of female nominees.
The 21-year-old south Londoner Dave won the coveted Album Of The Year prize for the selfreflective Psychodrama. Accepting the trophy, he gave a shout out to other young people from Britain’s cities with big aspirations. “All my young kings and queens that are chasing their dreams, I’m no different from you,” he said.
Capaldi’s UK and US chart-topper Someone You Loved was named Song Of The Year, and Capaldi also won the Best New Artist prize during the ceremony at London’s O2 Arena,
Grime artist Stormzy was named British Male Artist Of The Year. Singer-songwriter Mabel, daughter of musician Neneh Cherry, was named UK Female Solo Artist Of The Year.
Previously an unpredictable and sometimes ramshackle event, the Brits have been refashioned in recent years as a slick showcase for British talent. This year organisers culled several awards categories to make more room for performances, including turns by Capaldi, Mabel and Harry Styles.
Lizzo got the audience worked up with her Grammy-winning anthem Truth Hurts, while Stormzy brought on Nigerian singer Burna Boy for Anybody.
The award for International Female Artist went to Eilish. She performed the new Bond song accompanied by Hans Zimmer, Johnny Marr, and her brother, Finneas.
Comedian Jack Whitehall, the evening’s host, quipped that the 18-year-old superstar was “the only teenager in the world who makes Greta Thunberg look lazy.”
Singer Celeste was named Rising Star, Foals was declared band of the year, and the award for International Male Solo Artist went to Tyler the Creator.
Septuagenarian crooner Rod Stewart closed the show, accompanied by former Faces band mates Ronnie Wood and Kenney Jones.
The awards have been criticised over the years for failing to reflect the diversity of British music and being slow to embrace the emergence of genres including home-grown British grime and hip-hop.
Last year female nominees outnumbered men for only the second time in the event’s 40year history.
But this year only four nominations out of a possible 25 in categories that are not genderspecific feature women. No female performers were included on the shortlists for best group or album of the year. winner Dave held the audience rapt with his song in which he accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of racism, and paid homage to London Bridge attack victim Jack Merritt.
Tom Jones looks dapper in black. accepts her Rising Star award.