Best artist, best album and best song of the year: it is a hat-trick that singer Adele signed at the Brit Awards, the ceremony of which was held on Tuesday evening, February 8, in London. For the first time, the famous prizes, the British equivalent of the Victoires de la Musique, did not have men and women compete in separate categories.
Named artist of the year, Adele was also rewarded for her fourth studio album, 30and its tube Easy on Me was voted best song of the year.
“I can’t believe a piano ballad won against so many great songs”said the British star, after receiving his award against competitors like A1 x J1, Central Cee, Glass Animals and KSI.
Distinguish artists “solely for their work”
The Brit Awards have removed gender categories to distinguish artists “solely for their work and their music rather than how they choose to identify themselves or how others may perceive them”, explained the organizers. Briton Sam Smith, who considers himself non-binary, did not compete in the 2021 Brit Awards because no category corresponded to him.
“I understand why they changed the name of this award but I really like being a woman, a female artist, really”she confided to applause, in the packed London room of the O2 Arena.
British pop star Ed Sheeran won songwriter of the year and young American Olivia Rodrigo was crowned international song of the year with Good for You.