Kinds took the album of the 12 months trophy for “Harry’s Home,” lower than per week after successful the identical class on the Grammy Awards. He additionally gained for pop/R&B act, track of the 12 months for “As It Was,” and artist of the 12 months.

Accepting the best-artist trophy, the worldwide pop heartthrob thanked “my mum for signing me up for ‘X Issue,’” the expertise present that introduced him to fame with boyband One Path.

“I’m very conscious of my privilege up right here tonight,” stated Kinds, who drew criticism for saying on the Grammys that “this doesn’t occur to folks like me fairly often.” Some noticed the remark as deaf to the struggles confronted by artists from numerous backgrounds.

Kinds gave shoutouts to Charli XCX, Rina Sawayama, Mabel, Florence + The Machine and Becky Hill — performers who did not make the Brits’ all-male artist of the 12 months shortlist.

Two years in the past the Brits changed separate female and male performer classes with gender-neutral awards in a bid to grow to be extra inclusive. However the change drew some criticism this 12 months when the Brits introduced a best-artist shortlist with no feminine acts.

The transfer to gender-neutral prizes was amongst modifications made in response to longstanding criticism that the Brits did not replicate the variety of British music. In 2017, the academy of greater than 1,000 music business professionals that chooses Brits winners was expanded in an try and make it extra gender-balanced and numerous.

Some musicians stated extra must be completed.

“There’s loads of variety in artists however there’s not sufficient variety in file labels,” stated Sawayama, a nominee for newcomer of the 12 months.

Based in 1977, the Brits have advanced from a rough-around-the-edges business occasion to a slick showcase for U.Okay. expertise that has boosted the careers of future megastars together with Adele.

This 12 months’s breakthrough acts embrace Moist Leg, the punky band fashioned by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers on England’s rural Isle of Wight.

“That is so scary as a result of being on the telly can really feel like an actual boys’ membership factor,” Teasdale stated, earlier than thanking all the ladies concerned in making the band’s self-titled debut album.

The Brits embrace 4 awards for various genres which might be chosen by public vote. In addition to Kinds pop/R’n’B trophy, the prize for different/rock went to the 1975, Manchester rapper Aitch gained the grime/hip hop class and Becky Hill was named greatest dance act for the second 12 months working.

Eire’s Fontaines DC was named worldwide group of the 12 months and David Guetta was declared producer of the 12 months.

Kinds opened the present at London’s O2 Area performing “As It Was,” whereas Moist Leg delivered hit track ”Chaise Longue” on a sylvan set accompanied by whimsical people dancers. Different performers included Lewis Capaldi, Lizzo, Stormzy, Cat Burns and Sam Smith.