The British singer-songwriter Raye set a new record at the Brit Awards: The 26-year-old won in six categories – including best album of the year.
British singer Raye lived up to her role as favorite at this year’s Brit Awards and set a record with awards in a total of six categories. At the ceremony in London she received the trophies for Best Album (“My 21st Century Blues”), Best Song (“Escapism”), Best Female Artist, Best New Artist and Best R’n’B Artist handed over. In the run-up to the 44th awards ceremony, she had already been named songwriter of the year – the first woman in the history of the awards.
With the grandmother on stage
“You have no idea what this means to me,” Raye said in her fifth acceptance speech of the night, after letting her tears of happiness flow and bringing her proud grandmother Agatha to the stage with her. “The artist I was three years ago wouldn’t believe what she sees today,” Raye continued. “I’m in control, I’m my own boss now.”
Completely overwhelmed: Raye and her grandmother Agatha on stage together
The solo breakthrough came with “Escapism”.
Raye, whose real name is Rachel Keen, initially wrote songs for music greats such as Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Little Mix before making a name for herself as a solo artist. However, there was a falling out with her label Polydor, which released her from her contract. With her hit “Escapism” together with US rapper 070 Shake, she landed at the top of the British charts around a year ago. The song initially caused a sensation on the online platform Tiktok.
Raye entered the race with seven nominations – that is also a record. With her six awards, she left behind Blur, Harry Styles and Adele, who had won four awards in one year.
The Brit Award for Best International Band went to the US indie band Boygenius, consisting of singer-songwriters Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. SZA was unable to accept her award for Best International Artist in person and thanked her via video message, as did Miley Cyrus, who was delighted to receive her award for Best International Song (“Flowers”).
Robin Schulz came away empty-handed
Casisdead (hip hop/grime/rap), Calvin Harris (dance), Dua Lipa (pop) and Bring Me The Horizon (alternative/rock) won in the genre categories. There was no prize for the only German nominee: Together with Oliver Tree, DJ Robin Schulz was nominated for Best International Song with “Miss You”.
The producers of the year were the drum’n’bass experts Chase & Status, known for their collaborations with Rihanna and Rita Ora, among others. The two performed their hit “Disconnect” together with Becky Hill immediately after their award. Dua Lipa opened the awards ceremony at the Millennium Dome in London with her hit “Training Season” including impressive New Circus-style acrobatics and risky stunts. Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding performed their hit “Miracle” together for the first time at the Brits. Raye, Jungle, Rema and Tate McRae also performed during the awards show.
Well in business for decades: Kylie Minogue
A medley of the “Global Icon”
Australian pop queen Kylie Minogue was honored as a “Global Icon” and played a medley of her greatest hits at the end of the evening.
This year Rachel Jones was responsible for the design of the prize statuette. According to the British painter, the look is “colorful and chaotic”. Since 2011, the trophy has been designed by well-known artists, architects and designers, including Vivienne Westwood, Damien Hirst and Es Devlin. The show was moderated by Clara Amfo, Maya Jama and Roman Kemp.