British pop star Charli XCX has been named Songwriter of the Year by the Brit Awards, marking a major milestone in her career.
The honor comes just days before the 2025 Brit Awards ceremony, where she is poised to be one of the biggest contenders of the night.
Already leading this year’s nominations with five nods, Charli’s recognition highlights the impact of her critically acclaimed album, Brat, which has set trends in the music industry and catapulted her to new heights of success.
The songwriting prize is particularly significant for Charli, as it marks her first-ever Brit Award win, despite being in the industry for over a decade.
The 32-year-old artist has been nominated multiple times in the past, including for Best Female and Best Pop Act, but had never secured a trophy.
Her victory this year is a testament to her evolution as a musician, blending experimental sounds with mainstream appeal while maintaining her signature creative edge.
Charli has not shied away from speaking up about gender disparities in the industry. In 2023, she openly criticized the Brit Awards for failing to nominate any female artists in the prestigious Artist of the Year category.
She pointed fingers at the Brits’ voting academy, suggesting that the issue lay within their selection process rather than with female musicians themselves.
Her statement sparked conversations about representation, and this year’s nominations indicate a shift, with Charli now a front-runner in the category alongside major names like Dua Lipa, Central Cee, and Sam Fender.
Her five nominations at this year’s ceremony reflect her dominance across various categories. In addition to Artist of the Year, Charli is up for Album of the Year, Best Dance Act, Best Pop Artist, and Song of the Year for Guess, her duet with Billie Eilish.
The widespread recognition of her work underscores her ability to balance innovation with commercial appeal, a feat that has cemented her as one of the most influential pop stars of her generation.
Adding to her triumph, Charli’s longtime collaborator, AG Cook, was also recognized by the Brit Awards, receiving the Producer of the Year award. Cook, known for his groundbreaking contributions to hyperpop, has played a crucial role in shaping Charli’s sound.
His work on Brat helped create a genre-defying project that resonated with both critics and fans. Their partnership has been hailed as one of the most forward-thinking collaborations in modern pop music.
Brat itself has been a cultural phenomenon, widely regarded as one of the best albums of 2024. Critics praised its bold production, introspective lyrics, and raw emotional depth, with many describing it as pop music for the future.
Charli herself has characterized the record as “chaos and emotional turmoil set to a club soundtrack.” Its striking lime-green aesthetic and the viral dance craze associated with the song Apple helped define what became known as “Brat Summer.”
The album’s influence extended beyond music, shaping fashion, internet culture, and nightlife trends.
Her success has not been limited to the UK. Earlier this month, Charli won two Grammy Awards—Best Dance Album and Best Packaging—marking her first Grammy wins as a solo artist.
She capped off the night with a show-stopping performance of her singles Von Dutch and Guess, which ended with the stage being showered in underwear thrown by the audience.
The stunt was later revealed to be part of a charity initiative, with the clothing donated to I Support Girls, an organization that provides essentials to survivors of domestic violence.
The 2025 Brit Awards will take place at the O2 Arena in London on March 1, hosted by Jack Whitehall.
The event will feature performances from some of the biggest names in music, including Lola Young, Sam Fender, Sabrina Carpenter, The Last Dinner Party, Myles Smith, Jade, and Teddy Swims.
Ahead of the ceremony, the Brit Awards have already announced two additional winners: Myles Smith will receive the Rising Star Award, while Sabrina Carpenter will be honored with the Global Success Award.
With anticipation building, Charli XCX is set to be one of the night’s biggest highlights, solidifying her place as a defining artist of this era.
