Mark Ronson pays an emotional tribute to Amy Winehouse as he wins Outstanding Contribution at the BRITs
mark ronson paid an emotional tribute to Amy Winehouse as he accepted the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize at the BRIT Awards in Manchester, saying this week marks 20 years since they first met and calling the moment a life-changing event.
Mark Ronson on the 20th anniversary of meeting Amy Winehouse
At the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, the Uptown Funk producer recalled that next week would mark 20 years since Amy Winehouse came to his studio in New York City and introduced herself. He told the room that on Thursday March 6th she said, "I'm here to meet Mark Ronson" and that they "went upstairs and we talked for four hours and that night we wrote (the title song from her hit album) Back to Black and that day changed my life forever. " The producer, aged 50, called the BRIT award "the most meaningful honour" of his career in music.
Stage medley with surprise guests and Dap-Kings backing
After receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize from Skepta, Ronson performed a medley of his produced hits. The set began with Ooh Wee with Ghostface Killah, moved into Back to Black and Valerie using Amy Winehouse's old back-up singers and band The Dap-Kings, and included Uptown Funk before Dua Lipa made a surprise appearance to sing Dance The Night and the collaboration Electricity.
How he framed his career and collaborators
mark ronson thanked a long list of collaborators in his acceptance and speeches, citing artists who appeared in video tributes and who he has worked with over the years — including Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus, Queens and Raye. He said, "The music I made with Amy is the reason any of them know who I am anyway, so that's why I will also treasure her voice, her talent, our bond, all of it. " He added that he "can't believe" the roster of artists he's worked with since the Winehouse era.
Personal roots, gratitude and his earlier statement
Ronson spoke about his British roots and his transatlantic upbringing, saying he was born in London but raised in New York and that he left England as a kid. In an earlier statement this month he said, "This is the most meaningful honour of my career. I think of the times I've watched artists I revere accept this same award. The idea that I'm now standing in that lineage feels impossible. " He also praised UK artists, festival crowds, record buyers and streamers for sustaining his work.
Other BRITs notes and wider coverage highlights
Olivia Dean swept the floor at the same ceremony, taking home four awards and winning in every category she was nominated for. Winehouse, whom Ronson honoured on stage, died in 2011 at the age of 27.
Separate, brief items that appeared alongside the coverage include: Honor's Magic V6 is described as a subtle refinement of the V5; after Nvidia's earnings failed to impress investors, attention turned to Broadcom's quarterly results and concerns about the AI trade; Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, Megan Keller and Hilary Knight continued a post-Olympic visit at 30 Rock; commentary on the 2026 NFL Draft described a deep class of backup quarterbacks; 2026's WWE Elimination Chamber was criticized for its creative approach; the Vols lost a 13-point second-half lead and lost their second-leading scorer to injury; the Jets left the combine with five first-round picks in 2026 and 2027; Darryn Peterson's run helped the Jayhawks close to two points before the Wildcats responded; the Blue Devils clinched the No. 1 seed in the ACC men's basketball tournament and stand to win the ACC regular season title with one more victory; and Carr said in February that he would unretire to play for a Super Bowl contender.
The BRITs night closed with Ronson performing and accepting wide applause; it is unclear in the provided context what his next scheduled public appearance or project is.
