A flawless Adele took home the biggest three trophies in her usual fashion, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (Easy on Me) and Album of the Year (30). Her win lifts her career total of Brits to 12, giving her the title of the most decorated solo female artist at the awards.
Accepting the award for Best Album for 30, a teary-eyed Adele dedicated the award to her 9-year old son Angelo and her ex-husband Simon Konecki because “this album was all of our journey, not just mine”.
“I’m proud of myself for sticking to my guns and putting out an album about something so personal to me…People don’t do that so much anymore. My son has been so gracious and kind and patient with me over the last couple of years, and it’s for him, “she added.
the third win of the night for @Adele as '30' takes home @MastercardUK Album of the Year! #BRITs pic.twitter.com/BLbUxC9tz8
— BRIT Awards (@BRITs) February 8, 2022
Adele won this year’s Song of the Year award with her piano ballad Easy on Me, despite a total of 15 nominations. “I can’t believe a piano ballad won up against that many bangers,” she expressed her thrill while accepting the award.
Adele also took home the first-ever genderless Artist of the Year category. The male and female categories were scrapped this year, making this the first gender-neutral award night.
Meanwhile, the 33-year-old singer’s Artist of the Year speech was iconically muted by ITV as she swore in between. Wearing a golden shimmery dress, Adele also made sure to elegantly sit on a piano and hit every note to perfection as she sang her song I drink wine.
thank you @Adele for returning to the stage where it all began ❤️
Watch The #BRITs now: https://t.co/mfPHRo2VY3 pic.twitter.com/vcCbzJcFe5
— BRIT Awards (@BRITs) February 8, 2022
Despite releasing her album 30 only in November, it instantly became the best-selling album of 2021 after just six weeks on sale. According to the BBC, Adele’s victory was so “inevitable” that organizers had to invent other award categories for fellow artists like Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran won none of his four nods, but he was honored with a new award, Songwriter of the Year.
The award night featured performances of Fender, Sheeran, Liam Gallagher, Adele, Dave, Holly Humberstone and Little Simz. Doja Cat was due to perform too but was forced to cancel her show after members of her crew tested positive for COVID-19.
The other biggest talking point of this year is Anne-Marie’s fall and how she gracefully carried her performance. The singer took a tumble on stage and twisted her foot awkwardly on the floor while the audience cheered for her to carry on with the performance. Following this, Anne-Marie took to Twitter to comment on her fall. “Didn’t need my left ankle anyway.” she wrote.
Didn’t need my left ankle anyway
— 🖤ANNE-MARIE🖤 (@AnneMarie) February 8, 2022
Mo Gilligan served as this year’s host, making him the first Black British star to host the Brit Awards.
Dua Lipa earned her sixth Brit award after winning Best Pop/RnB Artist, while American singer-songwriter Olivi Rodrigo took home the award for International Song of the Year (Good 4 U) and Billie Eilish won Best International Artist.
The complete list of winners:
MasterCard Album of the Year
WINNER: Adele – 30
Dave – We’re All Alone in This Together
Ed Sheeran – =
Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under
Artist of the Year
WINNER: Adele
Dave
Ed Sheeran
Little Simz
Sam Fender
International Group of the Year
ABBA
BTS
Måneskin
WINNER: Silk Sonic
The War on Drugs
International Artist of the Year
WINNER: Billie Eilish
Doja Cat
Lil Nas X
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift
Best New Artist
Central Cee
Griff
Joy Crookes
WINNER: Little Simz
Self Esteem
Song of the Year
A1 & J1 – Latest Trends
WINNER: Adele – Easy on Me
Anne-Marie, KSI, Digital Farm Animals – Don’t Play
Becky Hill & David Guetta – Remember
Central Cee – Obsessed With You
Dave Featuring Stormzy – Clash
Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
Elton John & Dua Lipa – Cold Heart (Pnau Mix)
Glass Animals – Heat Waves
Joel Corry, Raye, David Guetta – Bed
KSI – Holiday
Nathan Evans, 220Kid, Billen Ted – Wellerman
Riton x Nightcrawlers Featuring Mufasa and Hypeman – Friday (Dopamine Re-Edit)
Tion Wayne & Russ Millions – Body
Tom Grennan – Little Bit of Love
International Song of the Year
ATB, Topic, A7S – Your Love (9PM)
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Ckay – Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)
Doja Cat Featuring SZA – Kiss Me More
Drake Featuring Lil Baby – Girls Want Girls
Galantis, David Guetta, Little Mix – Heartbreak Anthem
Jonasu – Black Magic
The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber – Stay
Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me by Your Name)
Lil Tjay & 6lack – Calling My Phone
Måneskin – I Wanna Be Your Slave
WINNER: Olivia Rodrigo – Good 4 U
Polo G – Rapstar
Tiësto – The Business
The Weeknd – Save Your Tears
Best Group
Coldplay
D-Block Europe
Little Mix
London Grammar
WINNER: Wolf Alice
Best Pop/R&B Act
Adele
WINNER: Dua Lipa
Ed Sheeran
Griff
Joy Crookes
Best Rock/Alternative Act
Coldplay
Glass Animals
WINNER: Sam Fender
Tom Grennan
Wolf Alice
Best Dance Act
WINNER: Becky Hill
Calvin Harris
Fred Again..
Joel Corry
Raye
Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act
AJ Tracey
Central Cee
WINNER: Dave
Ghetts
Little Simz
BRITs Rising Star
WINNER: Holly Humberstone
Bree Runway
Lola Young
Producer of the Year
WINNER: Inflo
Songwriter of the Year
WINNER: Ed Sheeran