The award show embracing British music had a lot of fun last night while also highlighting current political issues.
The night started off on the red carpets where most guests incorporated white roses into their ensembles to show solidarity with the #MeToo movement (as artists did at the Grammy Awards in January). The message of the roses is to empower women in the music industry.
Dua Lipa sent Twitter wild in a Giambattista Valli gown with a cascading pink train.
The show was hosted by British comedian Jack Whitehall for the first time ever and received positive feedback on social media. Viewers loved his awkward interview style with the artists. One interview, in particular, went viral when Este from the band Haim stole the spotlight from Liam Payne and Cheryl.
este is lolz 😂😂😂 btw all tickets for our european/ uk tour on sale tomorrow at 10am your local time🙏 pic.twitter.com/bKilFyN9C8
— HAIM (@HAIMtheband) February 22, 2018
not drunk, just living my truth https://t.co/WTARWSCenR
— Este Haim (@jizziemcguire) February 21, 2018
Ellie Goulding presented the International Female Solo Artist award alongside Adwoa Aboah. Goulding made an indirect comment towards Recording Academy president Neil Portnow for his comments he made saying that women in the music industry need to “step up.”
It’s safe to say that Stormzy made the biggest impact of the night winning both of the awards he was nominated for: British Male Solo Artist and Best Album of the Year. His biggest statement was when he closed the show with a performance of his singles “Blinded by Your Grace, Pt. 2” and “Big For Your Boots.” During the middle of the two songs, he performed a freestyle which included calling out British Prime Minister, Theresa May, and the Conservative Party government for their response to the Grenfell Fire tragedy back in June 2017.
“What, you thought we just forgot about Grenfell? You criminals, and you’ve got the cheek to call us savages, you should do some jail time, you should pay some damages, you should burn your house down and see if you can manage this.”
https://twitter.com/dlipanews/status/966510941507637248
A list of the winners from last night:
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British Male Solo Artist: Stormzy
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British Artist Video of the Year: Harry Styles – Sign of the Times
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International Group: Foo Fighters
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International Female Solo Artist: Lorde
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International Male Solo Artist: Kendrick Lamar
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Mastercard British Album of the Year: Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer
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British Single: Rag’n’Bone Man – Human
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British Breakthrough Act: Dua Lipa
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British Group: Gorillaz
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British Female Solo Artist: Dua Lipa
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Global Success Award: Ed Sheeran
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British Producer of the Year: Steve Mac
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Critics’ Choice Award: Jorja Smith
