Held at the 02 Arena in London, the 2021 BRIT Awards was a brilliantly dazzling, magical and bangin’ night of performances.
The BRITs 2021 served as a government COVID pilot event, meaning that a scaled-back live audience – largely made up of NHS and key workers – witnessed the evening’s performances and acceptance speeches in person without the need to wear masks or social distance. Amongst those awarded, two, in particular, made history: Little Mix and Taylor Swift. Little Mix became the first Female Group to win the award in the ‘British Group’ category (WEIRD, IKR?!) Jade Thirlwall made sure to give credit to the powerhouse female groups that came before them, highlighting:
“The fact that a girl band never has won this award really does speak volumes. So this award isn’t just for us. It’s for the Spice Girls, Sugababes, All Saints, Girls Aloud — all of the incredible incredible female bands, this one’s for you.”
T. Swift, on her part, became the first woman (non-British or otherwise) to be awarded the Global Icon prize at the BRIT awards (the honour’s previous recipients are Elton John (2014), David Bowie (2016) and Robbie Williams (2017)).
The full winner’s list from the 2021 BRIT Awards include:
Female Solo Artist
WINNER: Dua Lipa
Arlo Parks
Celeste
Jessie Ware
Lianne LaHavas
Male Solo Artist
Winner: J Hus
AJ Tracey
Headie One
Joel Corry
Yungblud
British Group
Winner: Little Mix
Bicep
Biffy Clyro
The 1975
Young T & Bugsey
Breakthrough Artist
Winner: Arlo Parks
Bicep
Celeste
Joel Corry
Young T & Bugsey
British Single
Winner: “Watermelon Sugar” – Harry Styles
“Don’t Need Love” – 220 Kid and Gracie
“Rain” – Aitch and AJ Tracey ft Tay Keith
“Physical” – Dua Lipa
“Ain’t It Different” – Headie One ft AJ Tracey and Stormzy
“Head and Heart” – Joel Corry ft MNEK
“Lighter” – Nathan Dawe ft KSI
“Secrets” – Regard and Raye
“Rover” – Simba ft DTG
“Don’t Rush” Young T & Bugsey ft Headie One
Album of the Year
Winner: Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa
Arlo Parks – Collapsed in Sunbeams
Celeste –Not Your Muse
J Hus – Big Conspiracy
Jessie Ware – What’s Your Pleasure
International Female Solo Artist
Winner: Billie Eilish
Ariana Grande
Cardi B
Miley Cyrus
Taylor Swift
International Male Solo Artist
Winner: The Weeknd
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Childish Gambino
Tame Impala
International Group
Winner: HAIM
BTS
Fontaines DC
Foo Fighters
Run the Jewels
Global Icon Award
Taylor Swift
We got to see Coldplay open the night with their latest release, ‘Higher Power’, while Dua Lipa channelled an eclectic mix of the Spice Girls and Amy Winehouse in her performance for the ages. Arlo Parks breathed new life into our souls with her performance of ‘Hope’ while Olivia Rodrigo’s live rendition of ‘drivers license’ struck a chord in many.
Performances by The Weeknd, Elton John and Years & Years, Griff, Headie One, AJ Tracey and Young T & Bugsey and the Rag’n’Bone Man/P!nk combo will live in our minds rent-free, forever.
*Cover image credits: @brits