David Bowie awarded British album of year
LONDON — Britain’s music industry saluted chart-topping talent and departed icons at Wednesday’s Brit Awards, where nominees included Drake, Beyoncé and David Bowie.
Bowie, who died in January 2016, was named British male artist of the year and also nominated won in the album of the year category for valedictory release “Blackstar”
The flashy show at London `s O2 Arena opened with girl group Little Mix giving a thunderous performance of “Shout Out to My Ex,” backed by a troupe of silver-pained dancers.
Soulful chanteuse Emeli Sande was named female British artist of the year, while Manchester indie pop band The 1975 won the trophy for best British band.
Singer Matt Healy noted that the band, whose album “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It” has been a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, had had the same lineup since the members were 13.
Injecting a light note of politics into a show that’s often slick and uncontroversial, Healy told entertainers with a platform not to heed advice to “stay in your lane when it comes to social issues.”
He said that “if you have a platform, don’t do that. Please don’t do that.”
The international awards went to global stars — none of whom came to accept them. Drake was named international male solo artist, while Beyoncé took the international female prize. A Tribe Called Quest took the trophy for international group.
The show paid tribute to one of the music industry’s many losses of 2016 — George Michael, who died on Christmas Day aged 53.
His Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgely said that with Michael’s death, “a supernova in a firmament of shining stars has been extinguished.”
Coldplay singer Chris Martin performed a moving rendition of Michael’s “A Different Corner” dueting with a recording of Michael himself.
Other performers included Robbie Williams, Katy Perry, The 1975 and Bruno Mars, as well as grime musician Skepta.
