Adele won three (Best Artist, Album and Song of the Year for ‘Easy on Me’) out the four main prizes at the Brit Awards, where she also performed of her track I Drink Wine.Ed Sheeran was also crowned songwriter of the year at London's O2 Arena – or the "Mo-2 Arena" as host Mo Gilligan called it - and he performed his hit Bad Habits alongside rockers Bring Me the Horizon and Dua Lipa won the night's other big prize, as TikTok users voted for her and not Adele as the best pop/R&B act.
After winning the first of her three awards, for best song, Adele said: "I can't believe a piano ballad won up against that many bangers". Her album, 30, was the biggest-seller of 2021, shifting more than 600,000 copies in just six weeks, and the star dedicated her award for it to her son and ex-husband.
At the winner of the Brits' first-ever genderless award for artist of the year female solo winners outnumbered male winners by three to one - with nine women taking home prizes, compared with three men.
Host, Mo, took a swipe at Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the well-documented party-gate controversy when he said: "Boris, I know you're watching.
"I know you love a party. Come on my guy, come down man - I know you like a cheeseboard. Look at you looking for the Dairylea."
Tne of the best performances of the night came right at the end from best hip-hop/grime/rap winner, Dave, demonstrating his musical prowess once again by strapping on a six-string and shredding out a guitar solo, after having been joined on-stage by fellow rappers including Aitch. Another came courtesy of Best New Artist winner, Little Simz, who was joined by The Crown actress Emma Corrin on-stage, during a medley of tracks from her critically-acclaimed album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.
Her smart, funk-driven set was music critics' Favourite Album of 2021, and ahead of the Brits her producer, Inflo - who Adele said also "changed my life" - was named as Producer of the Year.
"Look what you've done mum," said Simz, collecting her award while accompanied by her mother. "I am living proof that if you work hard at something, no matter where you come from, no matter your background and your race, you can do something extraordinary."
Elsewhere the Best Rock/Alternative Award went to Sam Fender who thanked his manager for "walking into that pub 10 years ago" and discovering him. Silk Sonic - aka Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak [sic] - took the Best International Group ‘gong’ – ahead of Abba, whist Billie Eilish fended off competition from Olivia Rodrigo to win Best International Artist.
18-year-old Rodrigo won Best International Song for her pop-punk anthem Good 4U, with other winners on the night included Wolf Alice for Best Group, and Becky Hill for Best Dance.
Holly Humberstone won the Rising Star award. Plans, alas, though, were scrapped for a performance from US star Doja Cat, after members of her team tested positive for Covid.
The full list of winners and nominees were:
Album of the year
· Adele - 30
· Dave - We're All Alone In This Together
· Ed Sheeran - =
· Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
· Sam Fender - Seventeen Going Under
Artist of the Year
· Adele
· Dave
· Ed Sheeran
· Little Simz
· Sam Fender
Best group
· Wolf Alice
· Coldplay
· D-Block Europe
· Little Mix
· London Grammar
Song of the Year
· Adele - Easy On Me
· A1 & J1 - Latest Trends
· Anne-Marie, KSI & Digital Farm Animals - Don't Play
· Becky Hill & David Guetta - Remember
· Central Cee - Obsessed With You
· Dave ft Stormzy - Clash
· Ed Sheeran - Bad Habits
· Elton John & Dua Lipa - Cold Heart (Pnau Mix)
· Glass Animals - Heat Waves
· Joel Corry, Raye & David Guetta - Bed
· KSI - Holiday
· Nathan & 220Kid & Billen Ted - Wellerman
· Riton, Nightcrawlers & Mufasa - Friday
· Tion Wayne & Russ Millions - Body
· Tom Grennan - Little Bit Of Love
Best new artist
· Little Simz
· Central Cee
· Griff
· Joy Crookes
· Self Esteem
Best international artist
· Billie Eilish
· Doja Cat
· Lil Nas X
· Olivia Rodrigo
· Taylor Swift
Best international group
· Silk Sonic
· Abba
· BTS
· Maneskin
· War On Drugs
Best international song
· Olivia Rodrigo - Good 4U
· ATB / Topic / A7S - Your Love (9PM)
· Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
· Ckay - Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)
· Doja Cat ft SZA - Kiss Me More
· Drake ft Lil Baby - Girls Want Girls
· Galantis, David Guetta & Little Mix - Heartbreak Anthem
· Jonasu - Black Magic
· Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber - Stay
· Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
· Lil TJ & 6lack - Calling My Phone
· Maneskin - I Wanna Be Your Slave
· Polo G - Rapstar
· Tiesto - The Business
· The Weeknd - Save Your Tears
Brits Rising Star
· Holly Humberstone
· Bree Runway
· Lola Young
Best dance
· Becky Hill
· Calvin Harris
· Fred Again
· Joel Corry
· Raye
Best rock/alternative
· Sam Fender
· Coldplay
· Glass Animals
· Tom Grennan
· Wolf Alice
Best pop/R&B
· Dua Lipa
· Adele
· Ed Sheeran
· Griff
· Joy Crookes
Best hip-hop/grime/rap
· Dave
· AJ Tracey
· Central Cee
· Ghetts
· Little Simz
Producer of the year
· Inflo
Songwriter of the year
· Ed Sheeran
