THE 2019 BRIT Awards took place at London's O2 Arena on Wednesday night (Feb 20) and saw a flurry of British and international acts take home the coveted awards.
It was a big night for Walsall crooner Jorja Smith, who won Best British Female Solo. She was presented with the award by 2x Grammy-award winning singer H.E.R and Chic’s Nile Rodgers, where she said she was “surprised” to receive the award and that this was for all the little girls and women who love what they do.
The singer then performed a beautiful rendition of her song ‘Don’t Watch Me Cry’, which moved the audience. This marks Smith’s second BRIT Award after she won the Critics Choice award in 2018.
Fans compared her performance to Adele’s memorable rendition of ‘Someone Like You’, which she performed in 2011 - a moment which preceded her international stardom.
“Do you remember when adele sang someone like you with a piano and then became a worldwide superstar?I think we might have just witnessed the same thing with Jorja Smith, stunning!,” wrote one Twitter user, while another said: “Jorja Smith is absolutely magical. This could be a real ‘Adele @ Brits’ moment for her. Future megastar.”
GIRL POWER
Little Mix also made their mark at the prestigious ceremony, as the four-piece band took home Best British Artist Video Of The Year for their girl-power anthem Woman Like Me. The girls were extremely excited to win the coveted award and thanked their management and fans for the continued support.
They also took to the stage to perform the hit track in an electrifying and empowering performance. Dressed head to toe in power pink, the girl group were accompanied on the stage by rapper Ms. Banks - marking the rapper’s first time performing on the BRIT stage.
Other notable winners included Beyoncé and JAY-Z who took home best International Group. While the couple weren’t in attendance at the ceremony they did send over a video thanking their fans for the win. The acceptance clip saw the duo stand in front of a fake portrait of Meghan Markle, which mimicked a scene from their video ‘Apesh*t’ which shows them standing in front of Mona Lisa.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z accepting their award for Best International Group at the #BRITS2019 [2] in front of a Meghan Markle painting. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/sC84Ej0qFI [3]
— Music News Facts (@musicnewsfact) February 20, 2019 [4]
Many took to social media to share their excitement at Bey and Jay showing their support of The Duchess of Sussex, during a time where she has faced intense scrutiny from the British press.
Guardian deputy music editor Laura Snapes tweeted: “Wow at Beyonce and Jay-Z not only making an acceptance video, but doing so in front of a portrait of Meghan Markle. Very classy, pointed support of a black woman being treated repulsively by the UK tabloids.”
Drake took home Best International Male but was unable to attend as he was prepping for his upcoming tour in LA.
See the list of winners below:
Best British Male Solo
George Ezra – winner
Best British Female Solo
Jorja Smith – winner
Best British Single
Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – ‘One Kiss’ – winners
Best British Group
The 1975 – winners
Best British Breakthrough
Tom Walker – winner
Best British Artist Video Of The Year
Little Mix ft. Nicki Minaj – ‘Woman Like Me’ – winners
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