Artistes Dua Lipa and Stormzy shined at the 38th edition of Brit Awards, where most stars gave a shout-out to the victims of sexual harassment in solidarity with the Time's Up movement by sporting white rose pins.
Hip hop star Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Omari, beat artistes like Ed Sheeran and Liam Gallagher in the British Male Solo Artist category. He also grabbed the British Album of the Year at the ceremony that was held at the O2 Arena here, reports guardian.com.
Stormzy's album "Gangs Signs & Prayer" was up against Lipa's "Dua Lipa", Sheeran's "Divide", J Hus' "Common Sense" and Rag'n'Bone Man's "Human".
But Lipa also went back home with trophies.
Receiving the first award of the evening for Best British Female Solo Artist, Lipa thanked "every single female that's been on this stage before me that has given girls like me -- not just in the music industry but in society -- something to look up to, and has allowed us to dream this big.
"Here's to more women on these stages, more women winning awards, and more women taking over the world."
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She also received the British Breakthrough Act honour at the ceremony hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall.
The Brit awards became the latest awards ceremony to show support and solidarity with the Time's Up movement, with artistes including Lipa, Sheeran and Camila Cabello, wearing white rose pins or carrying white roses to protest against sexual harassment in the entertainment industry.
Singers Anne Marie, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, Rag'n'Bone Man and Rita Ora also made the gesture after the awards' organisers invited attendees to don the pins, which were distributed before guests arrived on the red carpet.
Rag'n'Bone Man scored his third Brit award as his track "Human" won Best British Single, reports guardian.com.
Kendrick Lamar was voted Best International Male Solo Artist. He was a surprise performer of the night that also featured performances from Lipa, Sheeran, Stormzy, Justin Timberlake, Smith, Ora and Foo Fighters.
Foo Fighters were awarded Best International Group, their fourth win in the category in their three-decade career. Lorde won the Best International Female Solo Artist.
Gallagher performed "Live forever" as a tribute to the victims of the Manchester arena bombing, after Ariana Grande pulled out earlier in the day due to sickness.
Shortly thereafter, Gorillaz, the cartoon hip-hop band formed by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and illustrator Jamie Hewlett, picked up their first Brit award, having lost out nine times previously since the band was formed 20 years ago.
Following the release of their album "Humanz", they won best British Group, beating the xx, Royal Blood, Wolf Alice and London Grammar.
Sheeran, who, despite releasing the biggest-selling album in the UK last year with "Divide", missed out on wins in the top categories. He was, however, awarded the Global Success Award, a non-nominated prize that recognises international commercial success by British artistes.
The night was interspersed with political references. When TV presenter Dermot O'Leary asked what was missing from this year's ceremony, Emma Willis, presenting an award with him, replied, "Female co-host?"
The evening ended with a performance by Stormzy, moments after winning British Album of the Year, in which he rapped: "Theresa May, where's that money for Grenfell?"
--IANS
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