The BRIT Awards

The Brit Awards is an annual British music award presented to the best artists, albums and songs in Great Britain and around the world. It is often referred to as the British equivalent of the Grammys. It recognises outstanding achievements in popular music. Over the years, the Brit Awards has evolved from a small industry award established for the music industry to a large-scale television show with performances by top artists and global attention. In this article, we will discuss the history, format and ceremonies involved, as well as the hosts, participants and guests of honour.

History of the Brit Awards

The history of the Brit Awards began in 1977. Great Britain's premier music award celebrates the most successful artists, songs and albums on the British scene and beyond. Initially, it was a one-off ceremony. Since 1982, it has become an annual event.

The Brit Awards are organised by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the British recording industry association. It represents the interests of music labels and artists and is responsible for running the awards.

The name ‘Brit Awards’ comes from the words British and Britannia. Initially, the award was called the British Record Industry Britannia Awards, but later the name was shortened to Brit Awards.

The main stages of its development are as follows:

• In 1977, the award was held in honour of the 100th anniversary of sound recording.
• 1982: The Brits music awards became an annual ceremony, attracting more and more artists and public attention.
• 1980s-1990s: The show expanded the number of nominations, artists and categories, and international awards were introduced.

• The event gradually turned into a real TV show with lots of performances and stars on stage.
• 2000–2010: New awards appeared, including categories for different music genres and special honorary awards. At this time, the Brit Awards finally cemented their status as Great Britain's premier music event.
• 2020s: The awards continue to change and evolve, with gender-neutral categories and awards for artists' global achievements. In 2026, the ceremony will be held for the first time outside London, at Manchester's Co-Op Live Arena, reflecting the growth and transformation of the show's format.

Format of the ceremony

The event is usually held in late February or early March to celebrate the best achievements in music over the past year.

The evening of this major music award always turns into a spectacular show:

• artists perform live on stage with specially prepared acts;
• viewers see the red carpet leading to the entrance to the hall;
• artists and groups are awarded in different categories.

Popular artists from Britain and other countries are invited to the show, as well as presenters and TV hosts who broadcast the event live. Most often, the ceremony is enlivened by famous British comedians or showmen — in recent years, for example, Jack Whitehall has shone on stage.

The winners in most categories are determined by the Voting Academy, a special voting academy comprising more than a thousand people: representatives of record labels, artist managers, agencies, media representatives, as well as nominees and winners from previous years.

The selected nominees become candidates for the statuettes, after which the academy votes for the winner. The winners in some genre categories, such as Best Pop Act or Best Dance Act, are determined by public vote — the viewers themselves determine the favourite.

Nominations

The Brit Awards include many categories. They are updated and changed from year to year, but there is a standard set of main nominations that remain the focus of attention for the public and the artists themselves.

The main categories reflect the greatest achievements (album, artist, song), while the genre categories provide an opportunity to recognise artists in specific musical genres, from pop to hip-hop and rock music.

Categories:

1. Artist of the Year
2. Group of the Year
3. Album of the Year
4. Song of the Year
5. Best New Artist
6. BRITs Rising Star
7. International Artist of the Year
8. International Group of the Year
9. International Song of the Year
10. Pop Act
11. Dance Act
12. Rock/Alternative Act
13. Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act
14. R&B Act
15. Producer of the Year
16. Songwriter of the Year

Ceremony hosts

Over the years, the award ceremony has had a number of different hosts, including well-known television presenters, comedians and musicians – people with charisma and a sense of humour who know how to work with a live audience in a large television broadcast format.

In the early years of the ceremony, in the 1980s, it was mainly well-known British television presenters who were invited to host. They were professionals with experience in live broadcasting and shows. For example, Tim Rice hosted the ceremony for several years in a row in the early 1980s. Today, comedians and entertainers such as Jack Whitehall and Mo Gilligan are the hosts. They not only announce the winners, but also actively interact with the artists, joke about fashion trends and create a light-hearted, entertaining atmosphere, making the show truly lively. In 2024, the ceremony was hosted by three people at once — Clara Amfo, Maya Jama and Roman Kemp.

It is noteworthy that some hosts return to the ceremony several times. For example, Jack Whitehall has hosted the show many times and has already become its ‘face’.

The famous duo Ant & Dec presented the ceremony in 2001. Emma Willis shone on stage at the 2017 Brit Awards alongside Dermot O'Leary. We should also mention Kate Thornton, another TV presenter who has participated in Brit Awards presentations.

Red carpet ceremony

The Brit Awards red carpet brings together celebrities of global stature. Artists showcase not only their talent to the public, but also their stylish looks. Here are a few examples of interesting appearances by guests and their looks that have been memorable on the Brit Awards red carpet in recent years:

• Harry Styles. This artist always attracts attention with his extravagant and bold style. In 2023, he appeared on the red carpet of the ceremony in a printed trouser suit from Gucci, combining classic elements with bright colours and unusual accessories. This look became one of the most talked about. Harry Styles' style can be described as creative, free and timeless.
• Adele, who has won in several categories in recent years, is always the centre of public attention. For the 2022 ceremony, she chose a dark dress from Louis Vuitton with transparent inserts and minimalist accessories. The singer's look became a symbol of elegance and understated beauty. She always opts for classic styles, but with interesting details that emphasise her status.
• Rihanna attended the 2021 ceremony in a dazzling black dress by Dior that perfectly complemented her luxurious look. The singer's style reflects her uniqueness; she is not afraid to experiment with shapes and textures.
• The artist's appearance was the epitome of glamour and confidence, perfectly fitting the concept of the Brit Awards. Emma Willis, a well-known TV presenter, hosted the ceremony in 2017 and looked very stylish. She chose a red dress with a plunging neckline that emphasised her slim figure and elegance. A bright look on the red carpet is always memorable.

• Jack Whitehall, a well-known comedian and Brit Awards host, often appeared on the red carpet in stylish suits with interesting elements. In 2020, he chose a classic black tuxedo, complementing it with bolder accessories. He often emphasises the importance of humour and originality in his outfits.
• Maya Jama, the host of the 2022 ceremony, is always in the spotlight thanks to her unique style. At the 2022 awards, she appeared in a black dress with cut-outs, combining classic style and sexiness. The TV presenter quickly gained style icon status thanks to her outfits that combine trends and individuality.
• We should also mention AJ Odudu, who shone in her role as host of the red carpet and accompanying broadcasts. The celebrity captivates audiences time and time again with her elegant looks.

Participants in the ceremony

The Brit Awards bring together artists of all levels, from superstars with long careers to fresh new names. In recent years, the awards have shown how the British and international scene can surprise, inspire and create vivid musical stories.

Let's take a look at the most interesting participants of recent years — those who made a lasting impression, won many awards and became prominent names in the history of the Brit Awards. Among the performers with striking images who enjoy increased attention, several artists stand out.

At the 2025 Brit Awards, Charli XCX became the real heroine of the evening, taking home five awards. Among them were Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Brat and Song of the Year for the track ‘Guess’, recorded together with Billie Eilish. This victory immediately became one of the most talked about in the history of the show.

Stormzy has long been considered one of the brightest representatives of the British hip-hop scene. He has been nominated for the Brit Awards several times and regularly performs at the ceremony, remaining one of the most recognisable artists in the country.

Little Mix is not just a successful group, but also the first female group to win the Best British Group nomination at the Brit Awards. This historic moment happened in 2021 and cemented their status as icons of British pop music.

At the 2025 Brit Awards, Sabrina Carpenter opened the show and received the prestigious Global Success Award for her impressive international success. Her victory shows how artists from the United States are increasingly influencing the British music scene.

Legendary musician John Lennon is among the Brit Awards winners, with several memorable awards to his name. As is Olly Murs, who was nominated and performed at the ceremony alongside Alesha Dixon.

Other nominees included Mis-Teeq, Slowthai, and Sam Ryder.

Rylan Clark provided a spectacular presentation of the awards and performances. The audience also remembered Charli XCX's appearance on stage during the ceremony – she was nominated. KSI was nominated in several music categories. And, of course, let's not forget another nominee at the ceremony, the contemporary artist PinkPantheress.

The table lists the artists who received the most nominations at the Brit Awards. Their contribution to music has been recognised by critics and the academy.

Special guests and honoured participants

The Brit Awards are not limited to the main nominations; they also include honorary awards. The ceremony featured legendary performances that will remain in our memories for many years to come.

In 2025, the Global Success Award went to Sabrina Carpenter. She has gained international recognition and shown that her work has a huge resonance around the world.

The Brits Rising Star / Critics' Choice Award, created for young talents, deserves special attention. Over the years, it has been won by artists such as Adele and Sam Fender, who went on to become the leading names on the British scene in the following decade.

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