2008 Brit Award Winners and Losers
Take That, Arctic Monkeys Nab Two, Leona Lewis and Mika Shut Out
Nominated for 4 awards each, Take That took 2 trophies while Mika and Leona Lewis didn't fare as well at the 2008 Brit Awards.
Arctic Monkeys and Take That came away from the Brit Awards the night’s biggest winners with two trophies each. Favourite Worst Nightmare, the Arctic Monkey’s second album took home the coveted British Album award beating out Leona Lewis’ Spirit, Mark Ronson’s Version as well as Mika’s Life In Cartoon Motion.
Take That may have won two Brit Awards but they also lost to the Arctic Monkeys in two categories, British Group and British Album.
However, Take That was crowned British Live Act and walked away with the British Single award, overtaking massive singles from both Mika and Leona Lewis.
Leona Takes None, Mika Takes One
Leona Lewis’s complete shut out marked the biggest surprise of the night. Lewis, who released her debut album to gigantic success, becoming the biggest selling debut record in history since its release in November 2007, had been nominated in four categories but went home empty handed.
While its not surprising that Lewis didn’t win, her album still fresh and able to produce more hits, the same cannot be said for Mika. The man behind “Grace Kelly” and the rest of the soundtrack to 2007, may have had a stellar year with his debut record, Life in Cartoon Motion, but only managed to scrounge up one Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act, beating out Leona Lewis among others.
The Best in British Music
Super producer Mark Ronson triumphed over Mika in the British Male Solo Artist category but lost in other categories. Ronson performed “Stop Me” at the event with guests Adele, who took home the Critics’ Choice Award, and Daniel Merriweather.
But it was his performance of “Valerie” with surprise performer, 5-time Grammy winner Amy Winehouse that stopped the show. Winehouse looked jittery in her teeny mini skirt and at one point during the song, pulled too hard on a hair extension only for it to come lose.
Still, she sang like a pro and what’s a few strands of fake hair on the floor – 6 months ago it would have been Amy herself on the floor in a drunken stupor.
Kate Nash, more or less a 1-hit wonder with her number 2 hit “Foundations”, gained the British Female Solo Artist award, beating out powerhouses KT Tunstall and PJ Harvey as well as shoe-in Leona Lewis.
The Best in International Music
Foo Fighters, who have a large following in the British pop world, won both awards for which they were nominated. Their album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace overthrew Neon Bible by The Arcade Fire and Kylie Minogue’s comeback album X. The group also won International Group, again snuffing out The Arcade Fire and taking the wind out of the Eagles’ wings.
Britain’s favourite Australian, Kylie Minogue, claimed the prize for International Female Solo Artist beating out competition from Alicia Keys, Bjork, Feist and Rihanna. Kanye West took the trophy for the International Male Solo Artist.
Ozzy Osborne, who hosted the event with wife Sharon, presented Paul McCartney with Outstanding Contribution Award. Sir Paul then performed an energetic 5-song medley that spanned his body of work from his debut with The Beatles to his solo material.
The Brit Awards were broadcast live in the UK on ITV1 from Earl’s Court in London. The 2008 Brit Awards Show telecast will be shown on CBC in Canada on Thursday, February 21 @ 8 p.m. and on BBC America on Sunday, March 9, 2008 @ 8 p.m.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
