Famous artists who started their careers at BRIT School
These stars attended the prestigious BRIT school
The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard is taking place on Saturday 28th February this year, moving to Manchester for the first time in the history of the show.
With the nominations out now, we thought we'd take a look at some of the super popular musicians who started their music career at the prestigious BRITs School.
From 2007 BRIT Award Critics' Choice winner, 'Hello' and 'Easy On Me' pop star Adele, to 'WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!' singer RAYE- they all started out at the same school!
Check out these pop stars who attended BRITs School:
RAYE
Rachel Agatha Keen, better known as RAYE, attended the BRITs School for two years, before dropping out after reportedly feeling "confined, despite learning an extensive amount." It's safe to say she's had a successful career since then.
RAYE took the world by storm back in 2016 following the release of breakthrough singles 'By Your Side' by Jonas Blue and 'You Don't Know Me' by Jax Jones, which featured her vocals. In 2020 she dropped her debut mini-album 'Euphoric Sad Songs' and has provided us with huge tracks such as 2025 banger 'WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!'
In 2024, RAYE broke nomination history at The BRITs by being nominated for seven awards in six categories. She went on to win six awards on the night of the ceremony, and then she took home the award for Best R&B Act in 2025!
Adele
Superstar singer Adele graduated from BRITs School in 2006, at the age of 17.
Since winning the Critics' Choice Award in 2007, Adele has gone on to have four Number 1 albums and won a number of awards, including BRIT Awards, GRAMMYs and Billboard Music Awards.
After performing at her 'Weekends With Adele' shows at her Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesar's Palace in 2024, the singer is now taking a break from music, but we can't wait to see what she has planned next!
Jessie J
Jessie J was a student at the BRITs School between 2004-2006, graduating alongside both Adele and Leona Lewis.
Since graduating, Jessie J has released six studio albums, as well as achieving huge success with singles such as 'Price Tag', 'Domino', and 'Living My Best Life'.
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse attended the BRITs School at the age of 15, but she made the decision to leave after just one year to pursue her music career further.
Before her untimely death in 2011, Amy released two Top 5 albums, she also received a BRIT Award for British Female Solo Artist in 2007.
Katie Melua
Singer-songwriter Katie Melua attended the BRITs School after completing her GCSEs. It was whilst studying at the school she met her future manger Mike Batt, who signed her when she was just 18-years-old.
Katie has since released nine studio albums and is known for her Number 1 single, 'What a Wonderful World' with Eva Cassidy.
Kate Nash
'Foundations' singer Kate Nash enrolled on a theatre course at the BRITs School.
She went on to enjoy success with her debut album, 'Made of Bricks', in 2007, also releasing singles like, 'Foundations', 'Mouthwash' and 'Do-Wah-Doo'. As of early 2026, Kate has released five studio albums.
Katy B
Katy B attended the BRITs School and she didn't waste the opportunity! Katy B, real name Kathleen Anne Brien, used the school's studio to create some musical demos, and the certainly caught attention!
Since releasing her debut album 'On a Mission' in 2011, Katy B has had chart success with 'Lights On', 'Turn the Music Louder (Rumble)' and 'Crying for No Reason'. Katy has gone on to release three albums, her latest offering being 'Honey' in 2016.
Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis attended the BRITs School alongside the likes of Adele and Jessie J, before going on to win The X Factor in 2006,
Since her X Factor success Leona has had three Number 1 singles. In 2025, Leona took to the stage at the Venetian in Las Vegas for a residency called 'A Starry Night', described as a Christmas spectacular.
Rizzle Kicks
Both members of Rizzle Kicks, Jordan 'Rizzle' Stephens and Harley 'Kicks' Alexander-Sule attended the BRITs School and have since released three albums. Known for tracks like 'Down with the Trumpets' and 'Heart Skips a Beat', the boys reunited for a tour in 2025, leaving fans delighted.
Ella Eyre
Although she was just 14-years-old when she started writing music, it was when she attended the BRITs School at the age of 16 where Ella Eyre met her managers, allowing her to record and write in a more professional manner.
Ella has written tracks for some huge artists including Becky Hill, Meghan Trainor, Paloma Faith and Wiz Khalifa, as well as releasing tracks such as 'Came Here For Love' and 'Just Got Paid' with Sigala, and 'Waiting All Night' with Rudimental.
Freya Ridings
Freya Ridings attended the BRITs School from the age of 16. The singer broke into the music scene in 2019, when her hit single 'Castles' become one of the songs of the summer due to it being played on Love Island.
She went on to release her self-titled debut album in 2019, before following it up with 'Blood Orange' in 2023.
Lola Young
Lola Young attended the BRITs School, graduating in 2018. She's gone on to have the viral hit 'Messy' which went on to become a Number 1 hit in the UK, followed by the Top 20 song 'One Thing'.
In early 2026, Lola won her first GRAMMY in the Best Pop Performance category for her breakout single 'Messy'. She's also nominated for five BRIT Awards at the 2026 ceremony.
Cat Burns
After growing up in London, Cat Burns attended the BRITs School at the age of 16 and recorded her debut EP 'Adolescent' whilst she was there!
Despite struggling to get signed by a record label, Cat went on to independent release her second EP 'Naïve' in 2019, but she really got shot to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic, when her track 'Go' went viral on TikTok.
Cat later signed with Since 93, subsidiary of RCA Records, and later dropped two albums titled 'Early Twenties' and 'How to Be Human'. Cat was nominated for three BRIT Awards during the 2023 ceremony, including Rising Star, British Pop/R&B Act and Song of the Year.
FKA twigs
At the age of 17, FKA Twigs, real name Tahliah Barnett, moved to London to attend the BRITs School.
As well as working with record producers to find her sound, FKA Twigs also worked as backup dancer, appearing in music videos for the likes of Jessie J, Ed Sheeran, Plan B and Kylie Minogue.
In 2012, she self-released 'EP1', before dropping her debut single 'Water Me' in 2023. She's since released four studio albums, winning a GRAMMY Award in 2026 in the Best Dance/Electronic Album category, for her album 'EUSEXUA'.
The BRIT Awards 2026 will take place on Saturday 28th February.
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