WORLD
BRIT Award winners announced
Baku, February 21 (AZERTAC). Some of the biggest names in British music today gathered at London`s 02 Arena to celebrate a night of British music. The biggest winner of the night was 25-year-old Emeli Sande, who took home two of the most prestigious awards for best British female artist and best British album for Our Version of Events. This is an album I wrote because I didn`t have the confidence to say these things in person,` Sande said during her acceptance speech. `For me, that so many people have connected with this album and found strength in these words makes me feel incredible and it doesn`t make me feel as lonely. So thank you everybody who bought this record. You make me feel as though I`m part of something much bigger. This is a dream really.`London-born singer-songwriter Ben Howard also pulled an impressive feat by being crowned British breakthrough act and British male artist of the year.`This is bizarre, isn`t it? I didn`t really expect it. I`m quite stoked to even come to the awards, so to come away with two of these is amazing,` he said. A diverse group of musicians made up the best British group nominees, but Mumford & Sons ultimately came away with the top prize, beating out Muse, One Direction, The xx and Alt-J. 12-year-old girls needn`t despair however as boy band favourite One Direction did manage to pick up a different award during the ceremony, that of BRITS global success, annually awarded to a group or solo act for impressive international sales. Although not present at the ceremony, Adele was awarded best British single for Skyfall, a song she penned for the recent James Bond film of the same name. Rumour has it that the reason the songstress couldn`t make it to the BRITS was because she is busy rehearsing for an upcoming performance of the song at the 2013 Academy Awards where she is also nominated. Although the BRITS are primarily a celebration of British music, international music still manages to sneak into the ceremony. US singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey took out Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Cat Power and Alicia Keys to win the award for best international female solo artist while Frank Ocean beat out our very own Gotye for the best international male solo artist. Meanwhile, The Black Keys were awarded best international group. Other winners of the night included Coldplay for best live act, Paul Epworth for British producer of the year and Tom Odell who picked up the Critics` Choice award. In between the handing out of awards a wide variety of British and international artists took to the stage including Justin Timberlake who premiered his new song Mirrors, One Direction, Taylor Swift, Emeli Sande and Muse.