Charli XCX has emerged as this year’s breakout star of the BRIT Awards held in London as she walks away with five awards. Her album Brat, whose cultural revolution took off last summer, won the highly coveted Album of the Year. The receivers danced to the album’s different activities and made its lime green cover art iconic. Even U.S. presidential hopeful Kamala Harris’s campaign tweeted about the album, after Charli XCX mentions her in a tweet.
A Night of Triumph for Charli XCX
With the most nominations, Charli XCX was also named the Artist of the Year and Best Dance Act. Her song Guess, featuring Billie Eilish, won Song of the Year against tough competition from The Beatles’ Now and Then. The excitement around Charli XCX at the BRIT Awards was palpable.
The 32-year-old artist picked up the prestigious Songwriter of the Year award earlier the same week. After winning the award, she shared her thoughts on her experiences in music. Charli XCX said, ‘I’ve always felt like the outsider, particularly in British music.’ Charli XCX went on to thank her collaborators, including A.G. Cook, whom she called a “genius” in her acceptance speech. She explained that she wanted to shine a light on the forgotten artists. “I hope my success reaches out to all those people who feel unseen at events like the Charli XCX BRIT Awards experience.
Reflecting on the Future
The recent win is a huge moment for Charli XCX, whose debut album was released in 2013. Brat is her sixth studio album and she hinted that it could be her last such album. I doubt I’ll create a similar album like this again, said Charli “I have no desire to revisit this same route again. It’s likely I’ll go down a totally different road next time.”
Other Notable Wins
Jazz outfit Ezra Collective has been awarded Group of the Year, with drummer Femi Koleoso sharing heartfelt words during one of the speeches. He said this moment is a reflection of the brilliant youth clubs, teachers and schools that nurture young talents.
U.S. singer Chappell Roan won International Artist of the Year and her single Good Luck, Babe! took home International Song of the Year. Sabrina Carpenter, who sang ‘Espresso,’ was the first-ever Global Success Award winner. Global Success Awards recognize and honor artists who have achieved exceptional international sales, and this makes Carpenter a successor of Adele and Ed Sheeran.
Tribute to Liam Payne
The night also remembered One Direction member Liam Payne, who fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires in October and died tragically. The moment was a moving tribute to one of the most-loved boy bands of all time. People all around the world were sad to lose him but the tribute played. It was a reminder of how events like Charli XCX BRIT Awards can celebrate both achievements and memories.
