RAYE Makes History at the 2024 Brit Awards, Breaking Records and Shining as a Rising Star
London was buzzing with excitement on Saturday night as the 2024 Brit Awards took place at The O2 arena. The star-studded event saw some of the biggest names in music come together to celebrate the best of British and international talent. However, it was RAYE who stole the show, making history by winning a record-breaking six awards.
Breaking the previous record of four awards in one night, which was jointly held by Harry Styles, Adele, and Blur, RAYE’s incredible achievement solidified her status as one of the brightest stars in the industry. The talented artist took home the coveted titles of artist of the year, album of the year for her critically acclaimed “My 21st Century Blues,” song of the year for her hit single “Escapism” featuring 070 Shake, R&B act, new artist, and songwriter of the year.
As RAYE accepted her award for album of the year, she couldn’t hold back her emotions. Sobbing tears of joy, she expressed her gratitude, saying, “You just don’t understand what this means to me… I’m ugly-crying on national television. All I ever wanted to be was an artist. And now I’m an artist with an album of the year.”
RAYE’s success didn’t stop there. Her collaboration with 070 Shake, “Escapism,” reached number one on the Official U.K. Singles Chart and climbed as high as number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. This achievement made history as the first collaboration to win song of the year since Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa’s “One Kiss” five years ago.
The Brits made a strong statement about inclusivity and representation, with three-quarters of the award wins featuring women and non-binary people. Female artists swept the three awards for international artists, with Miley Cyrus taking home the international song of the year for her chart-topping hit “Flowers.” This track was not only named the top-selling global single of 2023 by IFPI but also won the Grammy for record of the year earlier this year.
SZA emerged victorious as the international artist of the year, beating out a strong field that included the likes of Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, Kylie Minogue, and Taylor Swift. Swift, however, had her moment of glory as she won the Grammy for album of the year.
In the international group category, Boygenius made history as the fifth all-female group to win, following in the footsteps of The Bangles, TLC, Destiny’s Child, and HAIM. The Last Dinner Party became the first all-female group to win the rising star award since its inception in 2008.
Dua Lipa continued her winning streak at the Brits, taking home the pop act award. Calvin Harris won in the dance act category, while CASISDEAD emerged as the winner in the hip-hop/grime/rap act category. Chase & Status claimed the title of Producer of the Year, showcasing their talent and versatility in the music industry.
Despite RAYE’s dominance at the awards, other artists such as J Hus, Central Cee, and Becky Hill, who received multiple nominations, unfortunately went home empty-handed. However, their contributions to the music industry should not be overlooked.
The 2024 Brit Awards were a night to remember, filled with unforgettable performances and well-deserved wins. RAYE’s record-breaking success serves as a testament to her talent and dedication to her craft. While she may not yet be in the league of global superstars like Adele and Harry Styles, her triumph at the Brits has undoubtedly set her on a path to stardom. As she continues to make waves in the music industry, the world eagerly awaits what RAYE has in store next.