Brit Awards 2021 was held on 12th May, 2021 to celebrate the best in British and International Music. The show was hosted by Jack Whitehall, which is his fourth hosting in a row. It was held at THE O2 IN Greenwich, Greater London.

There was a limited number of audience and all were taken a PCR test before getting in, so the social distancing was not necessary to be maintained inside.

Dua Lipa was the only one to win 2 BRIT awards, while the others won one in.

Michelle Obama also presented the award for Best International Male Solo Artist, which was taken by The Weekend. Other presenters include Lewis Capaldi, Boy George, Kurupt FM, Mabel, MNEK, Adam Lambert, Olly Murs, Clara Amfo, Maya Jama, Annie Mac, Billy Porter and Celeste. Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams presented the award for Global Icon.

The Global Icon Award was awarded to Taylor Swift this year “in recognition of her immense impact on music across the world and incredible repertoire and achievements to date”. Past winners include The Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John, Robbie Williams, Pink, Spice Girls, etc.

Amid the celebration, some controversies did arrive later.

Three-time BRIT Award winner Sam Smith criticized the show for continuing the categories of British Male Solo Artist and British Female Solo Artist, as these categories don’t fit those artists who don’t categorize themselves as both these genders. Sam Smith came out as non-binary back in 2019, called to change this system saying “the BRITs have been an important part of my career.

Music for me has always been about unification not division. I look forward to a time where award shows can be reflective of the society we live in. Let’s celebrate everybody, regardless of gender, race, age, ability, sexuality and class.” Well, he is true in this matter as there exists a lot of other genders and they all deserve to be recognized for their work.

There was a rule amended by British Phonographic Industry that to be eligible for BRITs, the artists must be born in the UK, or a UK passport holder or have lived in the UK for more than five years. However Rina Sawayama, who lived in the UK for 26 years was informed that she couldn’t be nominated because she wasn’t a British citizen.

She holds a Japanese passport so that she can get attached to her family in Japan, and also Japan doesn’t allow dual citizenship. Later, she met the management team to discuss the topic so that the artists like her and others could get nominated for their work. #SawayamaIsBritish also trended because of this controversy, and she was nominated for the Rising Star Award category.

WINNERS AND NOMINEES:

Performances:

Due to COVID restrictions, some performers performed live while some performed virtually.

All the performances this year are:-

Pre-Show Performances:

Main Show Performances