Charli XCX Triumphs at Brit Awards: Wins Five for Zeitgeist-Conquering Album

Brit Awards 2025: Charli xcx and Ezra Collective Lead the Way

The 2025 Brit Awards celebrated a diverse range of musical talent, from established pop icons too rising jazz stars. Charli xcx emerged as a dominant force, while Ezra Collective made history wiht their groundbreaking win. Here’s a thorough look at the night’s highlights.

Charli xcx’s “Brat” Era Conquers the Brits

Charli xcx’s album “Brat” was undoubtedly the star of the show, taking home Album of the Year. The album, wich spawned the cultural phenomenon known as “Brat summer,” was praised for its ability to blend club bangers with emotionally raw and thoughtful tracks. Charli even asserted that kamala Harris was, effectively, “brat.”

“Brat” not only topped the UK charts and spent 38 weeks in the Top 20,but it also achieved critical acclaim for its range. In the US, it reached No. 3 and secured three Grammy awards. During her acceptance speech, Charli thanked her dance music heroes and even gave a shoutout to Billie Eilish for contributing to “Guess” in record time, noting, “Not all artists are [as] spontaneous, despite claiming that they are.”

On winning Album of the Year,Charli xcx reflected on her journey,stating,“I’ve always felt like an outsider … especially in the British music industry. So it feels really nice to be recognised on this album, when I haven’t made any sacrifices.” She also offered encouraging words to her fellow artists, urging, “You don’t need to compromise your vision.”

AG Cook, the mastermind behind “Brat’s” dance-pop sound, was awarded Producer of the Year, adding to the album’s accolades. Cook also released his solo album, “Britpop,” during the eligibility period.

Ezra Collective: Jazz Giantkillers

In a stunning upset, jazz quintet Ezra Collective won British Group, triumphing over established acts like Coldplay and The Cure. Their victory marks a significant milestone for the UK jazz scene.

Known for their propulsive instrumentals influenced by Fela Kuti, hip-hop, funk, and spiritual jazz, Ezra Collective has become a leading light in London’s resurgent jazz scene. Their live shows are highly acclaimed, and in November, they became the first British jazz act to play London’s Wembley Arena. As the first jazz group to win a Brit Award and the Mercury prize in 2023, Ezra Collective is revolutionizing the recognition of jazz on a global scale.

Bandleader Femi Koleoso used his acceptance speech to advocate for youth clubs and music education, saying, “So many of the problems that face greater society in the UK, we’re unsure of how to fix, but the solution likes with giving a young person a trumpet, a saxophone – because when you do that you give them an aspiration, a goal.”

The Last Dinner Party: From Rising Stars to Best New Artist

The last Dinner Party continued their winning streak, picking up Best New Artist after receiving the Rising Star award last year. With their expansive style of classic rock and alt-pop, their debut album “Prelude to Ecstasy” went to No. 1 in February 2024, solidifying their reputation as one of the UK’s best live acts.

bassist georgia Davies emphasized the importance of self-reliant venues,stating they “wouldn’t be a band without the UK’s incredible independent venues – they are the lifebood of the industry,and they are dying.” She urged arena operators to financially support grassroots venues and encouraged artists to “keep going, because that’s the best kind of art there is”.

Genre Category Highlights

• rock/Alternative Act: Sam Fender, who also hit No. 1 with his third album.
• Pop Act: Jade, formerly of Little Mix, adding to her three previous Brit wins.
• Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap Act: Stormzy, despite Central Cee being a strong contender.

stormzy acknowledged Central Cee in his speech, stating that while he was grateful for the win, “I don’t entirely think this award should be fan-voted … sometimes I think it doesn’t let people have their moments.Cench was the rap artist of the year.”

Other Notable Winners and Moments

Myles Smith, the Rising Star award recipient, addressed the British goverment, questioning why “British music is one of the most powerful cultural exports we have, why have you treated it like an afterthought for so many years?” He called for protecting the foundations of British music and asked the industry to “stick with artists past a viral hit.”

Chappell Roan,winner of International Song for “Good luck,Babe!” and International Artist,urged artists “not to be pressured into making music based off what is trending” and dedicated her award to “trans artists,drag queens,fashion students,sex workers and Sinéad O’Connor.” Fontaines DC secured International Group for the second time.

Sabrina Carpenter was awarded the Global Success award, thanking her British fans by saying, “In a primarily tea-drinking country, you’ve streamed the shit out of Espresso … cheerio!”

Brit Awards 2025: Full List of Winners

• Album of the year: Charli xcx – Brat
• Artist of the Year: Charli xcx
• British Group: Ezra Collective
• Best New Artist: The Last Dinner Party
• Song of the Year: Charli xcx – Guess (ft Billie Eilish)
• International Artist: Chappell Roan
• International Group: Fontaines DC
• international Song: Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
• Alternative/Rock act: Sam Fender
• Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap act: stormzy
• Dance Act: Charli xcx
• Pop Act: Jade
• R&B Act: Raye
• Producer of the year: AG Cook
• Songwriter of the Year: Charli xcx
• Global Success: Sabrina Carpenter
• Rising Star: Myles Smith

How are autonomous venues vital to the success of emerging artists,according to Anya Sharma’s analysis of the 2025 Brit Awards?

Exclusive Interview: Anya Sharma,Music Industry Analyst,on the 2025 Brit Awards

The 2025 brit Awards were a night of surprises and milestones,celebrating the best of British and international music. To break down the key moments and what they signify for the future of the music industry, we spoke with anya Sharma, a leading music industry analyst with over a decade of experience. Anya, welcome to Archyde!

Charli XCX’s “Brat” Dominance and the Evolution of pop

Archyde: Anya, Charli XCX was undoubtedly the star of the night, scooping up multiple awards including Album of the Year for “Brat.” What do you think her success says about the current state of pop music?

Anya Sharma: Charli’s sweep is a testament to the changing landscape of pop. “Brat” is unapologetically experimental, blending club sounds with deeply personal themes. Her win signals a shift towards rewarding authenticity and innovation over formulaic chart-toppers. She’s proving you can achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success by staying true to your artistic vision. It’s a real victory for artists pushing boundaries, and her shoutout to Billie Eilish, acknowledging her spontaneity in contributing to “Guess,” highlights the collaborative and often unpredictable nature of modern music creation.

Ezra Collective’s Jazz Triumph: A New Era for the Genre?

Archyde: Another major headline was Ezra Collective winning British Group, beating established acts like Coldplay. Is this a turning point for jazz music on a mainstream level?

Anya Sharma: Absolutely. Ezra Collective’s win is monumental. they’ve broken down barriers and proven that jazz, with its rich history and improvisational spirit, can resonate with a wider audience. Their fusion of jazz with elements of hip-hop, funk, and Afrobeat makes it accessible, and Femi Koleoso’s impassioned speech about supporting youth music programs underscores the importance of nurturing the next generation of musicians. It’s not just a win for Ezra Collective, it’s a win for the entire UK jazz scene and encourages greater diversity in genre recognition.

The Last Dinner Party: Independent Venues and the Future of New Artists

Archyde: The Last Dinner Party won Best New Artist after receiving the Rising Star award previously. What is important about this win?

Anya Sharma: They underscore a crucial point about the importance of independent venues. These venues are the breeding ground for talent, and Georgia Davies’ call for arena operators to support them highlights the precarious state of these essential spaces. The Last Dinner Party’s success is intrinsically linked to the support they received from the grassroots music community. without these venues, many artists wouldn’t have the platform to develop their sound and build a fanbase.

Genre Category Highlights and Stormzy’s Generosity

Archyde: The genre categories also had some fascinating results, including Stormzy winning Hip-hop/Grime/Rap Act but acknowledging Central Cee. What did you make of that moment?

Anya Sharma: That was a deeply admirable moment of sportsmanship and self-awareness. Stormzy recognized Central Cee’s notable impact on the genre this year and questioned the fan-voted aspect of the award, advocating for artists to have their deserving moments. It’s a mature and respectful gesture that speaks volumes about Stormzy’s character and his commitment to fostering a supportive community within the UK’s hip-hop scene.

Myles Smith’s Plea to the Goverment and Industry Responsibility

Archyde: Rising Star winner Myles Smith delivered a powerful message to the British government. What’s the key takeaway from his speech?

Anya Sharma: Myles’s plea was a stark reminder that the British music industry, despite its global influence, needs consistent support and investment. He rightfully pointed out the discrepancy between the cultural value of British music and the perceived lack of priority given to it. His call for the industry to stick with artists beyond their initial viral success also emphasizes the need for long-term artist progress and enduring careers.

The Brit Awards 2025: A Reflection and a Look Ahead

Archyde: what’s your biggest takeaway from the 2025 Brit Awards?

Anya Sharma: The 2025 Brits were a party of diversity, authenticity, and the rising power of niche genres breaking into the mainstream. The winners, from Charli XCX to Ezra Collective, represent a shift towards rewarding artists who dare to be different and who use their platform to advocate for meaningful change. It was a night full of powerful moments and acceptance speeches that went beyond the usual thanks,and will hopefully inspire change and spark debate.

Archyde: Anya Shamar, thank you for your time!