'Brat' icon Charli XCX picks up Brit award for best songwriter / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
-
Former England batsman Robin Smith dies aged 62
-
Afghan Taliban authorities publicly execute man for murder
-
OECD raises US, eurozone growth targets as world economy 'resilient'
-
'Superhuman' Salah unhappy after being dropped, says Liverpool's Slot
-
Major sports anti-doping conference opens with call for unity
-
Tens of thousands flock to pope's Beirut mass
-
Formula One title showdown: the road to Abu Dhabi
-
Pope Leo holds Beirut mass, visits port blast site
-
Hong Kong leader says independent committee to probe fire
-
How deforestation turbocharged Indonesia's deadly floods
-
New Zealand 231-9 as 'old school' West Indies exploit pace-friendly wicket
-
England spinner Jacks replaces injured Wood for second Ashes Test
-
Pope Leo to hold Beirut mass, visit port blast site
-
Australia opener Khawaja out of second Ashes Test with injury
-
Concern as India orders phone manufacturers to preload govt app
-
French talent Kroupi 'ready to suffer' to realise Premier League dream
-
New Zealand 231-9 as West Indies exploit bowler-friendly wicket
-
US Republicans sweat toss-up election in traditional stronghold
-
'Rescued my soul': Hong Kong firefighters save beloved pets
-
Suns eclipse shoddy Lakers, Mavs upset Nuggets
-
Seven footballers in Malaysia eligibility scandal 'victims': union
-
Patriots on brink of playoffs after Giants rout
-
Survivors, families seek answers to deadly Hong Kong ferry disaster
-
Race to get aid to Asia flood survivors as toll nears 1,200
-
Rugby World Cup draw: who, how and when?
-
Williamson falls for 52 as NZ reach 128-5 in West Indies Test
-
Hong Kong leader announces 'independent committee' to probe fire
-
South Korean leader calls for penalties over e-commerce data leak
-
Samsung unveils first 'special edition' triple-folding phone
-
Apple AI chief leaving as iPhone maker plays catch-up
-
Asian markets rise as US rate cut bets temper Japan bond unease
-
Weight of history against England in pink-ball Gabba Ashes Test
-
How South Korea's brief martial law upended lives
-
VR headsets take war-scarred children to world away from Gaza
-
'We chose it': PKK fighters cherish life in Iraq's mountains
-
US envoy to meet Russia's Putin for talks on ending Ukraine war
-
Pope Leo holds Beirut mass and visits site of port blast
-
'Quad God' Malinin ramps up Olympic preparations at Grand Prix Final
-
New Zealand 17-1 at lunch in rain-hit West Indies Test
-
Pacific island office enabling sanctions-busting 'shadow fleets'
-
White House gets scaled-down Christmas display amid ballroom work
-
GEN Announces New Positive Phase 1 Trial Data of the Investigational Drug SUL-238 for Alzheimer's and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases
-
White House confirms admiral ordered 2nd strike on alleged drug boat
-
Nigeria's defence minister resigns amid security crisis: presidency
-
From Honduras to Poland, Trump meddles in elections as never before
-
Trump holds Venezuela meeting as Maduro rejects 'slave's peace'
-
12 dead, dozens missing as landslide submerges boats in Peru port
-
Vardy's first Serie A double fires Cremonese past high-flying Bologna
-
Rich art: French pastry chefs auction chocolate sculptures
-
Cameroon sack coach Brys, drop goalkeeper Onana for AFCON
NYSE - LSE
| RBGPF | 1.54% | 79 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.39% | 23.32 | $ | |
| RYCEF | -2.68% | 13.83 | $ | |
| SCS | 0.55% | 16.38 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.13% | 23.29 | $ | |
| GSK | -1.42% | 47.19 | $ | |
| AZN | -2.44% | 90.52 | $ | |
| NGG | -0.61% | 75.65 | $ | |
| RIO | 0.03% | 71.97 | $ | |
| RELX | -1.23% | 39.72 | $ | |
| BTI | -0.91% | 58.13 | $ | |
| BCE | -0.09% | 23.49 | $ | |
| BP | 1.12% | 36.51 | $ | |
| JRI | -0.15% | 13.78 | $ | |
| BCC | -1.18% | 75.13 | $ | |
| VOD | -2.8% | 12.13 | $ |
'Brat' icon Charli XCX picks up Brit award for best songwriter
British pop sensation and "brat summer" icon Charli XCX Wednesday won the Brit award for best songwriter of the year, putting her in pole position to scoop up the most honours in a weekend ceremony.
The 32-year-old also has five nominations going into Saturday's awards -- the highest of any artist -- including the nod for the coveted artist of the year prize.
"Charli's songwriting is distinctive, bold and relentlessly innovative," said Damian Christian, chair of the 2025 Brit committee.
And he added her highly successful album "Brat" had "taken her craft to new heights".
"Brat", Charli's sixth album launched in June, transformed her into one of the top music stars in 2024, with its lime-green cover and celebration of a relaxed, partying lifestyle.
It re-defined the word "brat" with Charli describing a "brat girl" as someone "who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes, who feels herself, but then also maybe has a breakdown, but kind of parties through it".
The word even became associated with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris when fans began applying the coloured "brat" filter to the nominee's images.
Charli XCX, real name Charlotte Emma Aitchison, voiced approval with a sign-off -- "kamala IS brat" -- swiftly embraced by the Harris campaign.
In November, just days before Harris's presidency bid ended in defeat, Collins dictionary designated "brat" as its Word of the Year.
In past years, star singer-songwriters Ed Sheeran and Raye were also crowned with the best songwriter award ahead of the main competition.
Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, The Beatles, The Cure are all up for awards along with Charli XCX on Saturday.
The 45th annual Brit Awards at London's O2 Arena will recognise the top musical talent of 2024, and also feature live performances from indie singer Sam Fender and US rapper Teddy Swims.
The coveted Best Album Of The Year Award will be fought out by Charli XCX, veteran goth band The Cure, seven-time Brit winner Dua Lipa, jazz group Ezra Collective and indie-rockers The Last Dinner Party.
US singer Sabrina Carpenter, who is up for the International Artist Of The Year Award, will be presented with the Brits Global Success award on the night, in recognition of her mammoth global sales in 2024.
The Brit Awards have recognised the cream of British pop music since they were first held in 1977, and have often been peppered with scandal and farce.
A.Ruegg--VB
