The 1975, Drake, Ariana Grande Triumph At 2019 BRIT Awards
George Ezra also won Best British Male Artist, while Jorja Smith was awarded Best British Female Artist.
Tim Peacock
Photo: Mara Palena, courtesy of Universal Music Group
The 1975, Drake and Ariana Grande were among the successful artists at the 2019 BRIT Awards. The 1975 won the Best British Group award and also took home the Best Album prize for A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, while superstar Canadian rapper Drake scooped the International Male Solo Artist and Ariana Grande won International Female Artist. Elsewhere, George Ezra won Best British Male Solo Artist and Smith the Best Female Solo Artist.
Compered by comedian Jack Whitehall, the coveted award ceremony, this year in its 39th year, took place at London's O2 Arena. Nominations for tonight were announced last month in a special televised programme.
Hugh Jackman opened the show with a song from his hit film The Greatest Showman. Calvin Harris also performed a set with his collaborators Dua Lipa, Sam Smith and Rag'n'Bone man. Also taking to the stage were Little Mix and Ms Banks, George Ezra, Jorja Smith and The 1975.
Bagging the first prize of the night, George Ezra took home the award for Best British Male Solo Artist. Nile Rogers then took to the stage to announce that Jorja Smith had won the Best British Female Solo Artist statue, beating the likes of Florence + The Machine and Lily Allen.
The 1975 were named Best British Group following the release of their critically-acclaimed third album, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships. They beat Arctic Monkeys, Gorillaz, Little Mix, and Years & Years.
The 1975 win British Group | The BRIT Awards 2019
The 1975's Matty Healy addressed "male misogynist acts" during the band's 2019 BRIT Awards acceptance speech.
Healy said: "I just want you to listen to me for one sec, just a couple of sentences that a friend of ours, [music journalist] Laura Snapes, said this, and I thought we should all really really think about it.
"She said that in music, 'male misogynist acts are examined for nuance and examined as traits of difficult artists while women and those who call them out are treated as hysterics who don't understand art.'"
Healy posted a quote from the article earlier today, saying that views Snapes had expressed were "bang on". Other successful artists, such as Drake (currently preparing for his tour in LA) and Ariana Grande, who won in the International categories, expressed their gratitude via video messages.
Ariana Grande wins International Female Solo Artist | The BRIT Awards 2019
A couple of the award winners were announced ahead of the ceremony. Pink took home the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. She is the first artist to receive the honour since 2012 when Blur took home the coveted prize.
In a statement, the US star said: "I am so honoured to be recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award at the 2019 Brits!
Additionally, the Critics' Choice award is always announced before the ceremony. This year, the winner was singer-songwriter Sam Fender. Other nominees included Lewis Capaldi and Mahalia.
The full list of 2019 Brit Awards winners as follows. The winner in each category is headlined in bold:
Mastercard British Album of the Year:
The 1975 – A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships
Anne-Marie – Speak Your Mind
Florence + The Machine – High As Hope
George Ezra – Staying At Tamara's
Jorja Smith – Lost & Found
British Group:
Years & Years
British Female Solo Artist:
British Male Solo Artist:
Best British Single:
Anne-Marie – '2002'
Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – 'One Kiss'
Clean Bandit – 'Solo
Dua Lipa – 'IDGAF'
George Ezra – 'Shotgun'
Jess Glynne – 'I'll Be There'
Ramz – 'Barking'
Rudimental – 'These Days'
Sigala & Paloma Faith – 'Lullaby'
Tom Walker – 'Leave A Light On'
Best British Breakthrough:
Best British Artist Video Of The Year:
Little Mix ft. Nicki Minaj – 'Woman Like Me'
Rita Ora – 'Phoenix'
Jax Jones – 'Breathe'
Jonas Blue – 'Rise'
Rita Ora and Liam Payne – 'For You'
International Female Solo Artist:
Best International Male Solo:
Best International Group:
The Carters
Nile Rodgers & Chic
Global Success Award: Ed Sheeran
British Producer Of The Year: Calvin Harris
Related Topics:2019 Brit AwardsAriana GrandeBrit AwardsDrakeEd SheeranFlorence + The MachineGeorge EzraJorja SmithNile RodgersPopThe 1975