The Brit Awards 2024 were a night to remember, as pop star Raye made history by winning six trophies, the most ever by a single artist in one night. She was followed by a host of female and non-binary winners, who dominated the ceremony and celebrated the diversity and power of women in music. The show also featured spectacular performances, emotional speeches, and a live audience of key workers and guests, who enjoyed the first major indoor music event in the UK since the Covid-19 outbreak.
In this article, you will find out who won what, who performed what, and who said what at the Brit Awards 2024. You will also discover some of the behind-the-scenes stories, surprises, and controversies that made the night unforgettable. You will also learn how the show was part of a government pilot scheme to test the safety and feasibility of large-scale events, and what it means for the future of the live entertainment sector.
The Winners And The Losers
The Brit Awards 2024 had 14 categories, with 10 of them being decided by a panel of experts, and four of them being voted by the public. The categories were: album, artist, song and songwriter of the year, best new artist, pop, R&B, hip-hop/grime/rap, rock, and dance act, as well as best international artist, group, song, and the global icon award.
The winners and the losers of the night were:
Raye, who won six awards, including album, artist, song and songwriter of the year, as well as best new artist and R&B act. She broke the previous record of four awards in one night, held by Harry Styles, Adele, and Blur. She also performed her hit song Escapism, which was the biggest-selling song by a British female artist in 2023. She thanked her fans, her team, and her grandmother, who joined her on stage for one of her speeches. She said: “This is the best night of my life. I’m so grateful, I’m so happy, I’m so in love with music.”
Dua Lipa, who won one award, best pop act, which was the only category voted by the public. She had three nominations, and was expected to win more, after having a successful year with her album Future Nostalgia, which topped the charts in 2023. She also performed a medley of her hits, and dedicated her award to the key workers, saying: “You have made this year bearable, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Little Simz, who won one award, best hip-hop/grime/rap act, beating the likes of Stormzy, Dave, and AJ Tracey. She had two nominations, and was praised for her critically-acclaimed album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, which explored her identity and heritage. She thanked her fans for supporting her independent career, saying: “This means everything to me. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I’m just so grateful that you guys are still here with me.”
Jorja Smith, who won one award, best R&B act, beating the likes of Celeste, Arlo Parks, and Mahalia. She had one nomination, and was recognised for her soulful and smooth vocals, which featured on her EP Be Right Back, and her collaborations with other artists. She dedicated her award to all the women who inspire her, saying: “This is for all the amazing women in this category, and all the women who have paved the way for me.”
Caroline Polachek, who won one award, best international artist, beating the likes of Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Lorde. She had one nomination, and was celebrated for her experimental and eclectic pop music, which she showcased on her album Pang, and her recent single Bunny Is A Rider. She thanked her fans and her collaborators, saying: “This is such an honour. I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me and helped me make this music.”
Boygenius, who won one award, best international group, beating the likes of BTS, Haim, and Foo Fighters. They had one nomination, and were applauded for their indie-folk supergroup, which consists of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. They thanked their fans and their peers, saying: “This is incredible. We’re so lucky to have each other, and to have such amazing friends and fans in the music community.”
Taylor Swift, who won one award, best international song for Vampire, beating the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, The Weeknd, and Lil Nas X. She had one nomination, and was also honoured with the global icon award, becoming the first woman and the first non-British artist to receive it. She praised the resilience and creativity of the music industry during the pandemic, and encouraged young artists to follow their dreams, saying: “You have the power to change everything. I’m so proud of you.”
Coldplay, who won no awards, despite being one of the biggest and most successful British bands of all time. They had no nominations, and were only invited to open the show with a performance of their new single Higher Power, which they did on a pontoon on the River Thames, with a spectacular display of fireworks and holograms. They thanked their fans and the key workers, saying: “We’re so happy to be here. Thank you for everything you do.”
Harry Styles, who won no awards, despite being one of the most popular and influential British artists of the moment. He had no nominations, and was only mentioned by host Jack Whitehall, who joked about his fashion choices and his relationship with Olivia Wilde. He did not attend the show, and was not seen or heard from during the night.
Adele, who won no awards, despite being one of the most successful and beloved British artists of all time. She had no nominations, and was only referenced by Raye, who said she was one of her inspirations. She did not attend the show, and was not seen or heard from during the night.
The Performances And The Speeches
The Brit Awards 2024 featured 10 performances, by some of the most exciting and diverse artists in the UK and beyond. The performances were:
Coldplay, who opened the show with a performance of their new single Higher Power, which they did on a pontoon on the River Thames, with a spectacular display of fireworks and holograms. They thanked their fans and the key workers, saying: “We’re so happy to be here. Thank you for everything you do.”
Raye, who performed her hit song Escapism, which was the biggest-selling song by a British female artist in 2023. She was joined by a choir of children, who sang along with her. She thanked her fans, her team, and her grandmother, who joined her on stage for one of her speeches. She said: “This is the best night of my life. I’m so grateful, I’m so happy, I’m so in love with music.”
Dua Lipa, who performed a medley of her hits, including Don’t Start Now, Levitating, and Physical. She was accompanied by dancers, who wore colourful outfits and masks. She dedicated her award to the key workers, saying: “You have made this year bearable, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Little Simz, who performed her song Introvert, which was the lead single from her album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. She was backed by a live band, and a choir of gospel singers. She thanked her fans for supporting her independent career, saying: “This means everything to me. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I’m just so grateful that you guys are still here with me.”
Jorja Smith, who performed her song Addicted, which was the first single from her EP Be Right Back. She was surrounded by dancers, who wore black and white outfits. She dedicated her award to all the women who inspire her, saying: “This is for all the amazing women in this category, and all the women who have paved the way for me.”
Caroline Polachek, who performed her song Bunny Is A Rider, which was her latest single. She was joined by dancers, who wore bunny ears and tails. She thanked her fans and her collaborators, saying: “This is such an honour. I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me and helped me make this music.”
Boygenius, who performed their song Me & My Dog, which was one of their most popular songs. They were accompanied by a live band, and a screen that showed images of dogs. They thanked their fans and their peers, saying: “This is incredible. We’re so lucky to have each other, and to have such amazing friends and fans in the music community.”
Headie One, who performed a politically charged medley of his songs, including Ain’t It Different, Princess Cuts, and Don’t Judge Me. He was joined by AJ Tracey and Young T & Bugsey, as well as dancers, who wore outfits that referenced the Black Lives Matter movement, the Windrush scandal, and the Grenfell Tower fire. He thanked his fans and his supporters, saying: “This is for all the people who have been through the struggle, and who have made it out. We’re here to make a difference.”
Rag’n’Bone Man and P!nk, who performed their duet Anywhere Away from Here, which was a ballad about finding solace in a chaotic world. They were joined by the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir, who sang the chorus with them. They thanked the key workers and the NHS, saying: “You are the heroes of this year. You have saved lives, and you have given hope. We’re so grateful for you.”
The Brit Awards 2024 also featured 10 speeches, by some of the most inspiring and influential artists in the UK and beyond. The speeches were:
Raye, who gave six speeches, one for each of her awards. She thanked her fans, her team, and her grandmother, who joined her on stage for one of her speeches. She said: “This is the best night of my life. I’m so grateful, I’m so happy, I’m so in love with music.”
Dua Lipa, who gave one speech, for her award for best pop act. She dedicated her award to the key workers, saying: “You have made this year bearable, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Little Simz, who gave one speech, for her award for best hip-hop/grime/rap act. She thanked her fans for supporting her independent career, saying: “This means everything to me. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I’m just so grateful that you guys are still here with me.”
Jorja Smith, who gave one speech, for her award for best R&B act. She dedicated her award to all the women who inspire her, saying: “This is for all the amazing women in this category, and all the women who have paved the way for me.”
Caroline Polachek, who gave one speech, for her award for best international artist. She thanked her fans and her collaborators, saying: “This is such an honour. I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me and helped me make this music.”
Boygenius, who gave one speech, for their award for best international group. They thanked their fans and their peers, saying: “This is incredible. We’re so lucky to have each other, and to have such amazing friends and fans in the music community.”
Taylor Swift, who gave two speeches, one for her award for best international song, and one for her global icon award. She praised the resilience and creativity of the music industry during the pandemic, and encouraged young artists to follow their dreams, saying: “You have the power to change everything. I’m so proud of you.”
