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The 12 Most Important Things That Happened At The 2016 BRITs

Adele showed love to Kesha, Rihanna danced with Drake, and Lorde gave thanks to Bowie.

February 24, 2016
1. Adele won all four awards she was up for, and used her first acceptance speech to voice support for Kesha:
2. And later, caught out broadcaster ITV, who failed to censor her F-bombs during another emotional speech.
3. Annie Lennox and Gary Oldman led a heartfelt tribute to David Bowie.

Annie Lennox presented the BRITs' Icon Award to the late Bowie, who passed away on January 10, with a speech in which she called him "a quintessential visionary" and "the ultimate iconoclast."

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She presented the award to Bowie's friend and actor Gary Oldman, who honored Bowie with a very personal speech: "I can share with you that David faced his illness with enormous dignity, and grace, and customary humor. Even in dire circumstances." Oldman revealed that when Bowie told him of his terminal illness, he wrote: "'The good news is, I've got my cheekbones back.' He was the sweetest soul ever, with the best cheekbones, until it was done. David, you were mortal, but your potential was superhuman, and your remarkable music is living on. We love you and we thank you."

4. ...Right before Lorde appeared for a moving surprise performance of "Life On Mars."
5. Rihanna introduced SZA to a primetime British audience, bringing her out to perform "Consideration"...
7. ...And took the best backstage picture of the night.
8. Jess Glynne's hair.
9. Green suits were in.
10. Justin Bieber added a dash of the U.K. to his performance by recruiting James Bay on guitar for "Love Yourself."
11. Many of the night's attendees went on to after-parties featuring rap and grime artists, even though grime was unrepresented at the awards.
12. ...Including at Shoreditch's Village Underground, where Drake and Skepta joined GEN F alumni Section Boyz on stage.
Posted: February 24, 2016