London (AFP) – Rock legend David Bowie posthumously won the Brit award for British male solo artist on Wednesday, in a ceremony which also paid tribute to the late George Michael.
Bowie, who died in January 2016, beat nominees Craig David, Michael Kiwanuka, Kano, and Skepta — who won the Mercury Prize for best British album with “Konnichiwa”.
The accolade was the first posthumous award in Brits history and follows Bowie’s last album, “Blackstar”, picking up five awards at the Grammys earlier this month.
The British female solo artist award went to Emeli Sande, who shot to stardom after performances at the 2012 London Olympics.
The Scottish artist, who also performed at Wednesday awards, beat fellow nominees Anohni, Ellie Goulding, Lianne La Havas, and Nao.
The British group statuette went to The 1975, a quartet from Manchester, northwest England, who got together as teenagers.
They swept aside Radiohead, Biffy Clyro, Bastille and Little Mix who opened the ceremony at London’s O2 Arena.
A sombre mood took over the ceremony as the Brits remembered Wham! singer Michael, who died on Christmas Day last year aged 53.
Following a video of late artists including Leonard Cohen, who died in November aged 82, Michael’s former Wham! singer Andrew Ridgeley paid tribute to his bandmate alongside pop duo Pepsi & Shirlie.
Chris Martin from Coldplay performed Michael’s “A Different Corner”, his voice interwoven with that of the late British singer-songwriter receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
Coldplay lost out in the British single category, which went to Little Mix for their catchy “Shout Out To My Ex”. The win was the first Brit award for the four-strong female group, formed in the X Factor reality show.
The British breakthrough act award went to singer-songwriter Rag’n’Bone Man, beating hopefuls Anne-Marie, Blossoms, Skepta and Stormzy.
This year’s winners received statuettes designed by the British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, who died last March.
The British music industry contributed £4.1 billion ($5.1 billion, 4.8 billion euros) to the UK economy in 2015, and British artists accounted for one of every six albums purchased worldwide.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.