The programming is set and the viewing audience is primed: this year's Brit Awards will again showcase the year's best musical talent. Anticipation is at a fever pitch: who will sweep the awards?
And will the previous year's controversies be addressed?
For the last couple of years and still, today, we've not had much that is glamorous or celebratory to feast on. But the one thing we can agree on is that we need more grace and beauty in our lives; things that speak to us, move us and set our souls on fire.
In the past, the Brit Awards - indeed, all manner of awards galas were seen as the Industry patting itself on the back; a lush celebration of 'Job well Done' in which performers of film and music take their bows and bask in the recognition of their efforts to flavour the world.
Of course, COVID rather put the kibosh on lavish celebrations but the Brit Awards nevertheless went on last year, albeit with a scaled-back live audience and with some performances beamed remotely.
| A recap of 2021 Brit Award winners: |
|---|
| British Male/Female Artists: J Hus; Dua Lipa |
| International Male/Female/Group artists: The Weeknd; Billie Eilish; Haim |
| British Album of the Year/Single of the Year: Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia; Harry Stiles - Watermelon Sugar |
| Top British Group: Little Mix |
| Breakthrough Artist: Arlo Parks |
| Rising Star Award: Griff |
| International Icon: Taylor Swift |
As other media outlets build excitement for the 2022 Brit Awards by flashing back on last year's events, so too does Superprof. But we want to go farther, to go back over who performed and who was nominated, who didn't win due to a controversial rule and how the awards distribution has changed.
Brit Awards: A Bit of Background
Considering the UK's rich musical legacy and impact around the world - there have been no fewer than three British Invasions to date, the British music industry lagged far behind its counterparts across the pond to recognise and shower tangible praise upon UK musical talent.
The first American Grammy Awards was broadcast in 1958 specifically to recognise outstanding music performers. By contrast, the first British Music Awards show made the airwaves in 1977. And, while the Grammys has been an annual affair since its inception, the Brit Awards didn't see regular broadcast until 1982 - right around the time of the Second British Invasion.
A lot of that disparity has to do with how different the two cultures are. The US is more of a 'toot your own horn' kind of society; we're more like 'I'm just doing my job'. Nevertheless, through cultural transmission, we've learned that it's good to recognize the best among us and to create occasions for celebrating brilliance.
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So, despite rampaging viruses and dismal, outraged headlines, let's see how they got on with the show last year.
Awards Shows in the Time of COVID
Despite the coronavirus looming over every aspect of our lives at that time, the 2020 (40th) Brit Awards show held to its usual location and schedule, broadcasting live from the O2 Arena, in February.
The O2 Arena has hosted the awards since 2011 and, fortunately, it is sizable enough to accommodate all social distancing recommendations. Still, it took a great deal of planning to put the show together - not merely as an echo of its former self but as a fully satisfying display of musical talent and British perseverance. Hence, the show did not go on until 11 May, 2021.
It was the first major live music event held indoors since the start of the pandemic.
Although delivering a return to some semblance of normal activity was the overarching goal, the programme meant to serve as a trial run for how to manage future large-crowd events. To that end, the Arena hosted an audience of 4,000 people who were required to provide a negative PCR test both before and after the event. Face masks were not mandated once indoors.
The success and overwhelmingly positive response to the 2021 Brit Awards spurred further such trials. Ultimately, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport hit upon a formula that allows such gatherings to take place while not unduly exposing masses of people to a risk of infection.
Brit Awards 2021 controversies
Most technical challenges were fairly easily met but that doesn't mean that the 2021 Brit Awards was without controversy.
Perhaps the loudest outcry is over Rina Sawayama being... not exactly overlooked for an award, but deemed ineligible to receive a Brit Award (or the Mercury Prize). She was nominated for a prize in the Rising Star category.
Rina has lived in the UK for 26 of her 31 years. Though born in Japan, she qualifies for British citizenship by virtue of her long tenure here. However, to become a British citizen, she would have to give up her Japanese citizenship, which would mean foregoing her heritage and family connections.
It's not like the Brit Awards demanded she shed her citizenship. They simply pointed to the rules that state recipients of these prestigious prizes must be British citizens. Sawayama fans took to social media and Rina herself worked with music industry representatives to bring about a rules change.
Now, anyone who holds a British passport or who has lived in the UK for longer than five years is eligible for a Brit Award.
A second major controversy surrounded the artist designations. Categorizing artists as either male or female leaves out anyone who doesn't see themselves thus classified. Sam Smith, a three-time award-winning artist brought the issue to the forefront through his criticism of the ongoing usage of gendered categories.
Initially, there seemed to be resistance to Sam's position. An awards spokesperson attested that making a change without careful consideration of its unintended consequences may be more damaging than maintaining the status quo.
We're glad to report that, Brit Awards 2022 winners will not be gender-labelled. Instead, we'll see Artist of the Year, along with a few added categories to make up for the ones that were dropped.
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2021 Brit Awards Performers
Trial run for future large-crowd engagements or no, little was lacking from the 2021 Brit Awards. There were pre-show performances by Jessie Ware and Craig David/Kurupt FM to get the crowds warmed up.
Jessie Ware sang Remember Where You Are; was she sending us a message?
And then, once Craig David/Kurupt got the crowd hopping with their effusive Summertime, the stage was set to welcome:
- Arlo Parks
- Olivio Rodrigo
- Coldplay
- Elton John, with Years & Years
- Dua Lipa, who performed a medley of songs
- Griff
- The Weeknd
and other acts. Some, such as Dua Lipa and AJ Tracy, performed established hits while Coldplay, an established act, debuted a new song.
Performed remotely or live, each act solidified the impression that, with music, life does go on. And that fact will be further asserted by those who will perform at the Brits 2022 awards show.
2021 Brit Awards Nominees and winners
Now, we get to the list of winners for each award category, and reveal the nominees, as well.
British Male Solo Artist
This award, won by J Hus, was presented by Kurupt FM.
Nominees include: AJ Tracey, Headie One, Joel Corry and Yungblud.
British Female Solo Artist
Dua Lipa took this award, presented by Mabel and MNEK.
Other nominees were: Arlo Parks, Celeste, Jessie Ware and Lianne La Havas.
International Male Solo Artist
This award was presented to The Weeknd by Michelle Obama.
Also nominated were: Bruce Springsteen, Burna Boy, Childish Gambino and Tame Impala.
International Female Solo Artist
Annie Mac presented Billie Eilish this award, while acknowledging the runners-up: Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift.
Top British Single
Boy George bestowed this honour on Harry Stiles for Watermelon Sugar, from among a long list of nominees:
- Don't Need Love (220 Kid and Gracey)
- Rain (Aitch and AJ Tracey, with Tay Keith)
- Physical (Dua Lipa)
- Ain't It Different (Headie One, AJ Tracey and Stormzy)
- Head & Heart (Joel Corry, featuring MNEK)
- Lighter (Nathan Dawe featuring KSI)
- Secrets (Regard and Raye)
- Rover (S1mba featuring DTG)
- Don't Rush (Young T & Bugsey featuring Headie One)
British Album of the Year
This award, presented by Lewis Capaldi, was claimed by Dua Lipa for Future Nostalgia.
Other albums of this calibre are: Collapsed in Sunbeams (Arlo Park), Not Your Muse (Celeste), Big Conspiracy (J Hus) and What's Your Pleasure? (Jessie Ware).
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Top British Group
Adam Lambert and Olly Murs finally treated Little Mix to the recognition they've so long deserved by awarding them this title.
Artists on the nominees' list are no less deserving, though: Bicep, Biffy Clyro, the 1975 and Young T & Bugsey will have their shot next time.
Top International Group
American Billy Porter presented the American band Heim with this award.
Other nominees for this distinction were: BTS, Fontaines D.C., Foo Fighters and Run the Jewels.
Breakthrough Artist
Arlo Parks was deemed this year's breakthrough artist; he was presented that recognition by Clara Amfo and Maya Jama.
Others nominated in this category are: Bicep, Celeste, Joel Corry and Young T & Bugsey.
Rising Star Award
Griff captured this award, given by Celeste. Pa Salieu and Rina Sawayama were also nominated.
Global Icon Award
Who else? Taylor Swift, for her outstanding contribution to music and perhaps also for her contributions to the greater good. Maisie Williams presented the award.
That's it for the Brits Awards 2021. Now, what other UK music awards are there?
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