THE BRIT AWARDS

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The Brit Awards are the annual United Kingdom pop music awards founded by the British Phonographic Industry. The awards began in 1977 as the BPI Awards and were renamed The Britannia Awards, or Brit Awards, in 1989. MasterCard is the long-time sponsor of this annual event.

Brit is also a backronym for British Record Industry Trust which supports youngsters in the arts and education mainly at the BRIT School in Croydon, London.

Strong music industry sponsorship and involvement mean that awards are given without much democratic process and, many suspect, for strongly commercial reasons. These are awards given by the music industry to the music industry. Robbie Williams pointed this out accepting an award a few years back. More recently, the awards have more reflected the tastes of the record-buying public, with an artist needing to prove popular and chart-topping before they are rewarded.

The Brit Awards used to be broadcast live until 1989, when Samantha Fox and Mick Fleetwood hosted a shambolic show in which just about everything went wrong - lines were fluffed, bands mis-cued, and airtime filled with embarrassing silence. After this the show was recorded, and broadcast the following night, part of a revamp by Jonathan King for 1990 whose actions also included releasing a megamix of British dance acts including S'Express and A Guy Called Gerald called Brits 1990. King subsequently went on to revamp A Song for Europe.

Pre-recording proved to be a good idea when, during a Michael Jackson performance in 1996, Jarvis Cocker from the band Pulp invaded the stage in a comedic protest at Jackson's messianic performance. There have been many such notable instances, including several UK politicians presenting awards and being heckled (and, in the case of John Prescott, having water thrown over him, at the 1998 awards, by Chumbawamba vocalist Danbert Nobacon [1]) and a remarkable performance by The KLF in 1992.

In addition, an equivalent awards ceremony for classical music, called the Classical Brit Awards, is held each May.

AWARDS CHRONOLOGY

2006

• British male solo artist: James Blunt

• British female solo artist: KT Tunstall

• British group: Kaiser Chiefs

• MasterCard British album: Coldplay - "X&Y"

• British single: Coldplay - "Speed Of Sound"

• British breakthrough act: Arctic Monkeys

• British urban act: Lemar

• British rock act: Kaiser Chiefs

• British live act: Kaiser Chiefs

• Pop act: James Blunt

• International male solo artist: Kanye West

• International female solo artist: Madonna

• International group: Green Day

• International album: Green Day - "American Idiot"

• International breakthrough act: Jack Johnson

• Outstanding Contribution to Music: Paul Weller

2005

• British male solo artist: The Streets

• British female solo artist: Joss Stone

• British group: Franz Ferdinand,

• British album: Keane - Hopes and Fears

• British single: Will Young - "Your Game"

• British breakthrough act: Keane

• British urban act: Joss Stone

• British rock act: Franz Ferdinand

• British live act: Muse

• Pop act: McFly

• International male solo artist: Eminem

• International female solo artist: Gwen Stefani

• International breakthrough act: Scissor Sisters

• International group: Scissor Sisters

• International album: Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters

• Outstanding Contribution to Music: Bob Geldof

A Special BRITs 25 Award for the best single from the past 25 years was awarded to Robbie Williams Angels.

The producers added a fake film effect to the TV coverage of the 2005 awards show, which was criticised by some who thought ruined the immediacy of the awards show, and was dizzying when combined with fast camera movements.

Beyoncé with her Brit Award in 2004

2004

• British album – The Darkness - Permission to Land

• British breakthrough act – Busted

• British dance act – Basement Jaxx

• British female solo artist – Dido

• British group – The Darkness

• British male solo artist – Daniel Bedingfield

• British rock act - The Darkness

• British single – Dido - "White Flag"

• British urban act – Lemar

• International album – Justin Timberlake - Justified

• International breakthrough act – 50 Cent

• International female solo artist - Beyoncé

• International group – White Stripes

• International male solo artist - Justin Timberlake

• Outstanding contribution – Duran Duran

• Pop act – Busted

2003

• British album – Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head

• British breakthrough act – Will Young

• British dance act – Sugababes

• British female solo artist – Ms Dynamite

• British group – Coldplay

• British male solo artist – Robbie Williams

• British single – Liberty X – "Just a Little"

• British urban act – Ms Dynamite

• International album – Eminem – The Eminem Show

• International breakthrough act – Norah Jones

• International female – Pink

• International group – Red Hot Chilli Peppers

• International male – Eminem

• Outstanding contribution – Tom Jones

• Pop act – Blue

2002

• British album – Dido – No Angel

• British breakthrough act – Blue

• British dance act – Basement Jaxx

• British female solo artist – Dido (singer)

• British group – Travis

• British male solo artist – Robbie Williams

• British single –S Club 7 – "Don't Stop Movin'"

• British video – So Solid Crew – "21 Seconds"

• International album – Kylie Minogue – Fever

• International breakthrough act – The Strokes

• International female - Kylie Minogue

• International group – Destiny's Child

• International male – Shaggy

• Outstanding contribution – Sting

• Pop act – Westlife

2001

• Best soundtrack - American Beauty

• British album - Coldplay - Parachutes

• British breakthrough act - a1

• British dance act - Fatboy Slim

• British female solo artist - Sonique

• British group - Coldplay

• British male solo artist - Robbie Williams

• British single - Robbie Williams - "Rock DJ"

• British video - Robbie Williams - "Rock DJ"

• International breakthrough act - Kelis

• International female - Madonna

• International group - U2

• International male - Eminem

• Outstanding contribution - U2

• Pop act - Westlife

2000

• Best selling live act – Steps

• Best soundtrack – Notting Hill

• British album – Travis – The Man Who

• British breakthrough act – S Club 7

• British dance act – The Chemical Brothers

• British female solo artist – Beth Orton

• British group – Travis

• British male solo artist – Tom Jones

• British single – Robbie Williams – "She's the One"

• British video – Robbie Williams – "She's the One"

• International breakthrough act – Macy Gray

• International female - Macy Gray

• International group – TLC

• International male – Beck

• Outstanding contribution – Spice Girls

• Pop act – Five

1999

• Best soundtrack - Titanic

• British album – Manic Street Preachers – This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours

• British breakthrough act – Belle & Sebastian

• British dance act – Fatboy Slim

• British female solo artist – Des'ree

• British group - Manic Street Preachers

• British male solo artist - Robbie Williams

• British single – Robbie Williams – "Angels"

• British video – Robbie Williams – "Millennium"

• International breakthrough act – Natalie Imbruglia

• International female - Natalie Imbruglia

• International group – The Corrs

• International male – Beck

• Outstanding contribution – Eurythmics

1998

• Best British producer – The Verve, Chris Potter and Youth

• Best selling British album act – Spice Girls

• Best soundtrack – The Full Monty

• British album – The Verve – Urban Hymns

• British breakthrough act – Stereophonics

• British dance act – The Prodigy

• British female solo artist – Shola Ama

• British Group – The Verve

• British male solo artist – Finley Quaye

• British single – All Saints – "Never Ever"

• British Video - All Saints – "Never Ever"

• Freddie Mercury award – Sir Elton John

• International breakthrough act – Eels

• International female – Björk

• International group – U2

• International male – Jon Bon Jovi

• Outstanding contribution – Fleetwood Mac

The Spice Girls collecting their awards for Best Single 

and Best Video at The Brit Awards 1997

1997

• Best British producer – John Leckie

• Best soundtrack – Trainspotting

• British album - Manic Street Preachers – Everything Must Go

• British breakthrough act – Kula Shaker

• British dance act – The Prodigy

• British female solo artist – Gabrielle

• British Group - Manic Street Preachers

• British male solo artist – George Michael

• British single – Spice Girls – "Wannabe"

• British Video - Spice Girls – "Say You'll Be There"

• International breakthrough act – Robert Miles

• International female – Sheryl Crow

• International group – The Fugees

• International male – Beck

• Outstanding contribution – Bee Gees

1996

• Artist of a generation – Michael Jackson

• Best British producer – Brian Eno

• Best soundtrack – Batman Forever

• British album – Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory

• British breakthrough act – Supergrass

• British dance act – Massive Attack

• British female solo artist – Annie Lennox

• British group - Oasis

• British male solo artist – Paul Weller

• British single – Take That – "Back for Good"

• British video - Oasis – "Wonderwall"

• Freddie Mercury award - The Help Album for the Charity Warchild

• International breakthrough act – Alanis Morissette

• International female – Björk

• International group – Bon Jovi

• International male – Artist

• Outstanding contribution – David Bowie

1995

• Best British producer – Nellee Hooper

• Best soundtrack – Pulp Fiction

• British album – Blur - Parklife

• British breakthrough act – Oasis

• British dance act – M People

• British female solo artist – Eddi Reader

• British Group – Blur

• British male solo artist – Paul Weller

• British single – Blur - "Parklife"

• British Video - Blur - "Parklife"

• International breakthrough act – Lisa Loeb

• International female – k.d. lang

• International group – R.E.M.

• International male –  (a.k.a. Prince)

• Outstanding contribution – Elton John

1994

• Best soundtrack – The Bodyguard

• Best British producer – Brian Eno

• Best selling album & Single – Meat Loaf

• British album – Stereo MC's - Connected

• British breakthrough act – Gabrielle

• British dance act – M People

• British female solo artist – Dina Carroll

• British group – Stereo MC's

• British male solo artist – Sting

• British single – Take That - "Pray"

• British video - Take That - "Pray"

• International breakthrough act – Björk

• International female – Björk

• International group – Crowded House

• International male – Lenny Kravitz

• Outstanding contribution – Van Morrison

1993

• Best British producer – Peter Gabriel

• Best International Solo Artist –  (a.k.a. Prince)

• Best soundtrack – Wayne's World

• British album – Annie Lennox - Diva

• British breakthrough act – Tasmin Archer

• British female solo artist – Annie Lennox

• British group – Simply Red

• British male solo artist – Mick Hucknall

• British single – Take That "Could it be Magic"

• British video – Shakespear's Sister "Stay"

• International breakthrough act – Nirvana

• International group – R.E.M.

• Outstanding contribution – Rod Stewart

1992

• Best British producer – Trevor Horn

• Best classical recording - Giuseppe Verdi - (Sir Georg Solti) - Otello

• Best soundtrack – The Commitments

• British album – Seal (musician) - Seal (1991)

• British breakthrough act – Beverley Craven

• British female solo artist – Lisa Stansfield

• British group – The KLF and Simply Red (Joint Winners)

• British male solo artist – Seal

• British single – Queen "These Are the Days of Our Lives"

• British video – Seal - "Killer"

• International breakthrough act – PM Dawn

• International group – R.E.M.

• Outstanding contribution – Freddie Mercury

1991

• Best British producer – Chris Thomas

• Best classical recording – José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti In Concert

• Best soundtrack – Twin Peaks

• British album – George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice

• British breakthrough act – Betty Boo

• British female solo artist – Lisa Stansfield

• British group – The Cure

• British male solo artist – Elton John

• British single – Depeche Mode "Enjoy the Silence"

• British video – The Beautiful South "A Little Time"

• International breakthrough act – MC Hammer

• International female - Sinéad O'Connor

• International group – INXS

• International male – Michael Hutchence

• Outstanding contribution – Status Quo

1990

• Best British producer – Dave Stewart

• Best classical recording – Simon Rattle - George Gershwin’s - "Porgy And Bess

• Best international artist – Neneh Cherry

• Best music video – The Cure - "Lullaby"

• Best soundtrack – Batman

• British album – Fine Young Cannibals – The Raw and the Cooked

• British breakthrough act – Lisa Stansfield

• British female solo artist – Annie Lennox

• British group – Fine Young Cannibals

• British male solo artist – Phil Collins

• British single – Phil Collins - "Another Day in Paradise"

• International breakthrough act – Neneh Cherry

• International group – U2

• Outstanding contribution – Queen

1989

• Best classical recording – George Frideric Handel’s - The Messiah

• Best Music Video - Michael Jackson - "Smooth Criminal"

• Best soundtrack – Buster

• British album – Fairground Attraction - The First of a Million Kisses

• British breakthrough act – Bros

• British female solo artist – Annie Lennox

• British group – Erasure

• British male solo artist – Phil Collins

• British single – Fairground Attraction - "Perfect"

• International breakthrough act – Tracy Chapman

• International female - Tracy Chapman

• International group – U2

• International male – Michael Jackson

• Outstanding contribution – Cliff Richard

1988

• Best British producer – Stock Aitken Waterman

• Best classical recording – Ralph Vaughan Williams - Symphony No. 5

• Best international solo artist - Michael Jackson

• Best Music Video – New Order - "True Faith"

• Best soundtrack – The Phantom of the Opera

• British album – Sting - Nothing Like the Sun

• British breakthrough act – Wet Wet Wet

• British female solo artist – Alison Moyet

• British group – Pet Shop Boys

• British male solo artist – George Michael

• British single – Rick Astley - "Never Gonna Give You Up"

• International breakthrough act – Terence Trent D'Arby

• International group – U2

• Outstanding contribution – The Who

1987

• Best British producer – Dave Stewart

• Best classical recording – Julian Lloyd Webber/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Elgar Cello Concerto

• Best international solo artist – Paul Simon

• Best soundtrack – Top Gun

• British album – Dire Straits Brothers in Arms

• British breakthrough act – The Housemartins

• British female solo artist – Kate Bush

• British group – Five Star

• British male solo artist – Peter Gabriel

• British single – Pet Shop Boys - "West End Girls"

• British Video - Peter Gabriel - "Sledgehammer"

• International group – The Bangles

• Outstanding contribution – Eric Clapton

1986

• Best British producer – Dave Stewart

• Best international solo artist – Bruce Springsteen

• British female solo artist – Annie Lennox

• British group – Dire Straits

• British male solo artist – Phil Collins

• British Video – Paul Young - "Every Time You Go Away"

• International group – Huey Lewis and The News

• Outstanding contribution – Wham! and Elton John (Joint Winners)

1985

• Best British comedy recording - Neil (a.k.a. Nigel Planer) - "Hole In My Shoe"

• Best British producer – Trevor Horn

• Best classical recording – Antonio Vivaldi’s - The Four Seasons

• Best international artist – Prince & The Revolutions

• Best soundtrack – Purple Rain

• British album – Sade - Diamond Life

• British female solo artist – Alison Moyet

• British group – Wham!

• British male solo artist – Paul Young

• British single – Frankie Goes To Hollywood - "Relax"

• British Video – Duran Duran - "The Wild Boys"

• Outstanding contribution – The Police

• Special Award - Bob Geldof and Midge Ure

1984

• Best British producer – Steve Levine

• Best classical recording – Kiri Te Kanawa - Songs of the Auvergne

• Best international artist – Michael Jackson

• British breakthrough act – Paul Young

• British female solo artist – Annie Lennox

• British group – Culture Club

• British male solo artist – David Bowie

• Best Selling Single- Culture Club - "Karma Chameleon"

• Outstanding contribution – George Martin

• The Sony award for technical excellence – Spandau Ballet

1983

• Best British producer – Trevor Horn

• Best classical recording – John Williams - Portrait

• Best international artist – Kid Creole and the Coconuts

• Best Live Act - U2

• Best selling album – Barbra Streisand - Love Songs

• British breakthrough act – Yazoo

• British female solo artist – Kim Wilde

• British group – Dire Straits

• British male solo artist – Paul McCartney

• British single – Dexy's Midnight Runners - "Come On Eileen"

• Life achievement award – Pete Townshend

• Outstanding contribution – The Beatles

• Special Award - Chris Wright

• The Sony award for technical excellence – Paul McCartney

1982

• Best British producer – Martin Rushent

• Best classical recording – Gustav Mahler's - Symphony No. 10

• Best selling album – Adam and the Ants - Kings Of The Wild Frontier

• British breakthrough act - Human League

• British female solo artist – Randy Crawford

• British group – The Police

• British male solo artist – Cliff Richard

• Outstanding contribution – John Lennon

1977

n.b. these awards were to mark the Queen's Silver Jubilee and were for the previous 25 years of her reign.

• Best British non-musical record - Richard Burton and cast "Under Milkwood"

• Best British producer – George Martin

• Best classical soloist album – Jacqueline du Pre - Elgar, Cello Concerto

• Best international album - Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water

• Best orchestral album – Benjamin Britten - War Requiem

• British album – The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

• British breakthrough act – Julie Covington

• British female solo artist – Shirley Bassey

• British group – The Beatles

• British male solo artist – Cliff Richard

• British single – Queen - "Bohemian Rhapsody" & Procol Harum - "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" (Joint Winners)

• Outstanding Contribution - L.G. Wood and The Beatles (Joint Winners)

Most successful acts

There have been numerous acts, both groups and individuals, that have won multiple awards. The table below shows those that have won more than three awards.

LINKS

BRIT Awards, official page

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