VIDEO: THE 411 ON THE BRIT AWARDS 2018
On the 21st of February, the O2 Arena in London was filled with some of the biggest British stars for the 38th edition of the Brit awards, hosted by Jack Whitehall. Stars like Stormzy, Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, Dua Lipa and Foo Fighters graced the stage and wowed the audience with their performances. Paloma Faith kicked off the ceremony performing "crybaby". The event was momentous to say the least with many laughs guaranteed when Jack Whitehall has a mic. Not to mention the ballsy lady in the background shot of Jack and Cheryl Cole, motioning for him the call her. Social media was eventually able to identify her as Este Haim and she claimed that she was "just living her truth".
Ed Sheeran received considerably less attention that the previous year's awards when he won the biggest album of 2017 but this year only cracked 3 nominations. A great disappointment after the lack of acknowledgement at the Grammys. The stars were asked to wear a white rose to symbolise their resistance against sexual harassment and inequalities, however, none of the artists had prepared speeches and performances specifically directed at the issue. It seems the politicised nature of red carpet events might be fading.
Dua Lipa took over the stage, winning awards for Best British Female Solo Artist in competition with Paloma Faith, Jessie Ware, Kate Tempest, and Laura Marling, and Best British Breakthrough Act as well as nominations for British Artist Video of the year, Master Card British Album of the year and Best British Single. Kendrick Lamar took home the award for best International Male Solo Artist and Stormzy won the Mastercard British Album of the Year. The Gorillaz conquered the group award against London Grammar, Royal Blood, Wolf Alice and The xx. British video award was won by Harry Styles for "Sign of the Times", International group award went to the Foo Fighters, Lorde won the award for International Female Solo Artist and British single was won by Rag’n’Bone Man for their single, Human.
Kendrick Lamar delivered his verse from pop-rap viral hit New Freezer performing on top of a glass cube in which the track’s lead artist, Rich the Kid, silently smashed up a Lamborghini. The artists labelled it as satire, pointing to the greedy nature of the rap culture. Stormzy stole the crowd with a freestyle rap about his disappointment in the country’s media and political elite. Then he suddenly adjusted his voice into a more fierce, throatier register as he turned his back on negativity, supporting the success of other black Britons.
The lavish event took place without a hiccup, celebrating true British talent led by the impetuous humour of Jack Whitehall.