True Brit: The Demise of the Brit Awards

America-centric thinking is far too easy a habit for us stateside music fans to adopt, but the influence of our brothers across the Atlantic in the great United Kingdom should not be overlooked. Join us as we dig into the best that Britain has to offer.

I didn’t even bother to watch The Brits last night. If you read my rant about the NME Awards last week then you’ll have a pretty good idea why. The UK’s answer to The Grammys has long lost its lustre. Gone are the days when Oasis famously baited INXS front man Michael Hutchence and socialist indie outfit Chumbawumba drenched Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. Nowadays, it resembles the long-defunct Smash Hits Pole Winners Party; little more than an excuse to celebrate the commercial big-hitters in UK pop and not much else.

What other self respecting awards ceremony would allow Robbie Williams the dubious honour of accepting an Outstanding Contribution Award? I’m still struggling to work out what the king of mediocrity’s supposed outstanding contribution to British music actually is. He’s made a lot of money for himself and for his record label but, a handful of singles aside, he’s released little of any artistic worth since his days with Take That. So, it seems, The Brits has had its day. When nauseating US warbler Lady Gaga can get her hands on three of the once-coveted statuettes you can’t argue anything else, can you?

Here’s a rundown of all the winners:

  • British Female Solo Artist: Florence & The Machine
  • British Male Solo Artist: Dizzee Rascal
  • British Breakthrough Act: JLS
  • British Group: Kasabian
  • Mastercard British Album: Florence & The Machine – Lungs
  • British Single: JLS – “Beat Again”
  • Critics’ Choice: Ellie Goulding
  • Brits Album of 30 Years: Oasis – (What’s The Story) Morning Glory
  • The Brits Hits 30: The Spice Girls – “Wannabe”/ “Who Do You Think You Are?”
  • International Female Solo Artist: Lady Gaga
  • International Male Solo Artist: Jay-Z
  • International Album: Lady Gaga – The Fame
  • International Breakthrough Act: Lady Gaga
  • Outstanding Contribution Award: Robbie Williams
Written by Toby Rogers

One Response to “True Brit: The Demise of the Brit Awards”

  1. On 03/4/10 2:38 PM, True Brit: Are Kasabian the Best Band in Britain? | Ghettoblaster Magazine said:

    [...] knows my views on prize-giving ceremonies but even I couldn’t help being pleasantly surprised to see Kasabian scoop best album at this [...]

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