Mark Ronson honours Amy Winehouse as he receives BRITs Outstanding Contribution amid goddaughter’s criticism
mark ronson paid an emotional tribute to Amy Winehouse as he accepted the Outstanding Contribution to Music award at the BRIT Awards in Manchester, a moment that has prompted debate about who should represent Winehouse’s legacy. The show combined a career-spanning set with surprise collaborators while Winehouse’s goddaughter, Dionne Bromfield, publicly criticised the handling of the tribute.
Mark Ronson’s BRIT Awards tribute to Amy Winehouse
The record producer, 50, collected the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize at Saturday’s ceremony and reflected on what he called a “dream” career after receiving the gong at the 2026 BRIT Awards. He recalled that this week marks 20 years since he first met Winehouse and described how they wrote the hit Back to Black together on the same day, a moment he said changed his life forever. He made Winehouse a central part of his acceptance and performance, including a clip of the late star speaking fondly of him and a rendition of Back to Black that also featured Valerie alongside Amy’s band The Dap-Kings.
Dionne Bromfield criticises BRIT Awards handling
Dionne Bromfield, 30, criticised the BRIT Awards for their handling of the tribute to her godmother. Bromfield said the issue was never about being seen, but about a longer pattern: she wrote that, since Amy’s passing, specific people within the industry and around it made it difficult for her to move forward and progress, and that opportunities had been blocked and doors deliberately closed. She noted that the ceremony felt like another reminder of those struggles and called it an insult to both her and Amy’s legacy. Bromfield, who first came to public attention after performing on Strictly Come Dancing with Winehouse on backing vocals, replied to fans saying it was not an oversight: “It definitely was NOT an oversight…”, and added that she has not released music in a long time and that it “hasn’t been for lack of trying. ”
Onstage sequence: Skepta, Ghostface Killah, Dua Lipa and other collaborators
After receiving his award from Skepta, Ronson performed Ooh Wee on stage with Ghostface Killah, followed by the Back to Black tribute and a rendition of Uptown Funk. The set included a surprise appearance from Dua Lipa, who joined to sing Dance The Night from the Barbie soundtrack and the collaboration Electricity. Ronson thanked a string of collaborators in his remarks, naming Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Dua Lipa, and said the music he made with Amy provided the platform that led to those later partnerships.
Mark Ronson’s reflections on origins and recognition
Born in London and raised in New York, Ronson said he feels proud of his British roots and described the BRIT Award as the most meaningful honour of his career. He spoke of watching artists he revered accept the same prize and of feeling as if he now stands in that lineage. The performer emphasised the role of UK artists and British audiences in shaping his work, saying the crowds, festival goers, record buyers and streamers had sustained him and that he was beyond grateful.
Olivia Dean and other notes from the ceremony
Elsewhere at the ceremony, Olivia Dean took home four awards, winning every category for which she was nominated. The night combined lifetime recognition for Ronson with strong showings from contemporary artists across the event.
