By PAUL CANTIN
Senior Reporter, JAM! Showbiz
Coldplay, Fatboy Slim and Robbie Williams were among the big winners at the BRIT Awards, Britain's answer to the Grammys.
Coldplay won as best British group, ahead of Radiohead, AllSaints, Moloko and Toploader. The group's album, "Parachutes," was also named best British album. Williams was named best British male solo artist, edging out Badly Drawn Boy, Craig David, David Gray and Fatboy Slim. He also won best single and best video for "Rock DJ."
Fatboy Slim (a.k.a. Norman Cook) got some consolation, though. He was named best British dance act.
Also among the early winners were Sonique, named best British female solo artist, edging out Dido, Sade, PJ Harvey and Jamelia. Best international newcomer was Kelis, while A1 was named best British newcomer, over Toploader, Coldplay, Craig David and Artful Dodger.
Westlife edged Britney Spears, Ronan Keating, S Club 7 and Steps to be named top pop act. Britney also lost out to Madonna for the title of best international female solo artist.
U2 won best international group and was to be presented with a special award recognizing their contribution to the music industry. Eminem was named best international solo artist.
Here's a list of the early winners.
Best British Dance Act: Fatboy Slim
Other nominees:
Artful Dodger
Craig David
Moloko
Sonique
Best British Female Solo Artist:
Sonique
Other nominees:
Dido
Sade
PJ Harvey
Jamelia
Best International Newcomer: Kelis
Other nominees:
Jill Scott
Lene Marlin
Pink
Westlife
Best British Newcomer: A1
Other nominees:
Artful Dodger
Craig David
Coldplay
Toploader
Best Pop Act: Westlife
Other nominees:
Britney Spears
Ronan Keating
S Club 7
Steps
Best British Male Solo Artist: Robbie Williams
Other nominees:
Badly Drawn Boy
Craig David
David Gray
Fatboy Slim
Best International Female Solo Artist: Madonna
Other nominees:
Britney Spears
Jill Scott
Pink
Kylie Minogue
Best Soundtrack: American Beauty
Other nominees:
Shaft
The Virgin Suicides (Air)
Billy Elliot
Dancer in the Dark (released as Bjork's "Selmasongs")
The Beach
