The 2025 Brit Awards marked an exceptional year for British music, honoring homegrown talents who have made a significant impact over the past year. Held at London’s O2 Arena, the ceremony recognized a diverse array of artists, with standout wins by Charli XCX, Ezra Collective, The Last Dinner Party, and Myles Smith. These artists not only secured multiple prestigious awards but also underscored the global influence and cultural depth of the UK music scene.
Charli XCX emerged as the evening’s standout artist, further cementing her status as a pioneering force in pop music. The English singer-songwriter (born Charlotte Aitchison) secured the Artist of the Year and the coveted Mastercard Album of the Year awards for her sixth studio album, BRAT. Additionally, her chart-topping collaboration with Billie Eilish on “Guess” earned her the Song of the Year award, and she was recognized as Best Dance Act—a testament to her versatile impact across genres. In a further nod to her creative prowess, she received the honor of Songwriter of the Year, acknowledging her distinctive and forward-thinking songwriting approach. With five nominations—the highest of any artist in 2025—Charli XCX’s achievements highlight her enduring dominance in British pop.
Her evolution from an underground pop maverick to a mainstream icon has been defined by continuous innovation. Described as an “avant-pop and electronic superstar,” Charli has spent over a decade reshaping popular music by seamlessly blending experimental sounds with mainstream appeal. Industry leaders have lauded her “distinctive, bold and relentlessly innovative” songwriting, which has redefined contemporary pop culture. BRAT was both a critical and commercial triumph, debuting at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, while its lead single “Guess” made history by becoming the first track by a British artist to top the UK Singles Chart in the past year. Charli XCX’s success at the Brit Awards not only celebrates an outstanding year but also underscores her role in shaping the future of British pop music with her boundary-pushing style and entrepreneurial spirit.
Ezra Collective made history by bridging the gap between jazz and the mainstream. The London-based quintet—comprising Femi Koleoso, TJ Koleoso, Joe Armon-Jones, James Mollison, and Ife Ogunjobi—was honored as Group of the Year at the 2025 Brit Awards. This accolade capped off a remarkable 12 months that included a landmark victory at the 2023 Mercury Prize for their album Where I’m Meant to Be, which became the first jazz album to win the prize. Praised as “a thumping celebration of life,” the album featured collaborations with artists such as Emeli Sandé and Kojey Radical, signaling the arrival of a new force in British music. By outshining rock and pop contenders, Ezra Collective has successfully redefined the boundaries of jazz and its relevance in today’s diverse musical landscape.
Beyond awards, Ezra Collective’s influence extends into a broader cultural movement within the UK music scene. The band credits their development to London youth clubs and music education programs, as highlighted in an emotional acceptance speech:“This is not just a result for Ezra Collective, this is not just a result for UK jazz but a special moment for every single organisation across the country ploughing their efforts and time into young people playing music.”
Their victory is widely regarded as a triumph for the British jazz scene, bringing a genre often relegated to the fringes into mainstream recognition. By blending elements of Afrobeat, hip-hop, and punk, Ezra Collective has attracted a young, diverse fanbase and demonstrated the global reach of London’s modern jazz renaissance. Their recognition as Group of the Year signals an evolving openness in British music culture to eclectic and innovative sounds, influencing a new generation of artists and listeners.
The Last Dinner Party, an all-female five-piece art-rock band from London, clinched the Best New Artist award at the 2025 Brit Awards—a celebration of their extraordinary breakthrough year. Previously honored with the Rising Star title in late 2023, they became only the second band ever to receive this accolade, following R&B trio FLO in 2023. The band built significant momentum in 2023 with their “melody-rich, guitar-heavy leftfield indie-rock” sound and theatrical live performances on the UK club circuit.
Their debut single, “Nothing Matters” (produced by James Ford of Arctic Monkeys fame), was released in April 2023 and quickly captivated audiences with its infectious sound and striking visuals. As follow-up tracks like “Sinner” and “My Lady Of Mercy” resonated, the band’s debut album Prelude To Ecstasy was released in early 2024, debuting at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and setting a record for the fastest-selling vinyl debut of any group this century. In their Brit Awards acceptance, the band paid homage to grassroots music initiatives, emphasizing their humble beginnings in small venues before achieving mainstream success.
The Last Dinner Party’s rise has had a profound cultural impact. As a bold, all-female rock band, they offer fresh representation in a traditionally male-dominated genre and have revitalized the indie rock scene with a blend of baroque flair and modern sensibility. Their dramatic, literate style compares to icons such as Kate Bush, while their dynamic live performances—characterized by theatrical outfits and fearless stage presence—have become the subject of widespread acclaim. Their achievements, from opening for The Rolling Stones at Hyde Park to winning the BBC Sound of 2024 poll, highlight a creative renaissance in British rock music and signal a promising future for the genre.
Myles Smith concluded the night as the epitome of emerging talent by receiving the BRITs Rising Star Award 2025—an honor that has historically predicted the ascent of artists like Adele, Sam Smith, and Sam Fender. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter from Luton was unveiled as Britain’s most promising new artist ahead of the ceremony. In his acceptance speech, a visibly humbled Myles remarked,“Music has always been about connecting with people, and to see it resonate on this level is incredible… This is just the beginning.”
Myles’s journey began with self-taught guitar and piano lessons during his childhood, followed by early performances at local open-mic nights. His breakthrough came when he started sharing cover songs on TikTok in 2020, and by 2022, his soulful renditions—such as those of “Sweater Weather”—went viral, earning him a devoted online following. Building on this momentum, he released original tracks like “Solo” and “My Home”, quickly establishing himself as a gifted songwriter under RCA/Sony in 2023.
His breakthrough hit, “Stargazing”, blended folk-pop warmth with arena-ready hooks, resonating internationally as it charted in multiple countries, went platinum, and amassed nearly 550 million Spotify streams. The honesty in his songwriting and his emotive vocal delivery, draw comparisons to troubadours like Ed Sheeran while maintaining a unique soulful twist. Recognized as “one to watch” by The Guardian and celebrated for his US television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Myles Smith’s rapid rise exemplifies how modern British artists are leveraging digital platforms and social media to achieve global recognition. His Brit Award victory not only confirms his immense talent but also highlights his significant impact on contemporary music culture, paving the way for future success.
The achievements of Charli XCX, Ezra Collective, The Last Dinner Party, and Myles Smith at the 2025 Brit Awards illustrate the vitality and diversity of today’s British music scene. These artists—spanning pop innovation, jazz reinvention, art-rock dynamism, and folk-pop authenticity—embody the spirit of a music industry that honors innovation while respecting its roots. Their successes serve as a testament to the evolving landscape of British culture and the power of new voices in shaping global music trends. As these artists continue to push boundaries and influence emerging talent, their legacies promise to resonate well into the future of British music.