Lily Allen, who returned last year to great acclaim with her revealing, tell-all hit breakup record, West End Girl, received the outstanding song collection award.
The academy said she had “built one of the most distinctive catalogues in British music across the last two decades” with tracks like Smile, LDN and Madeline, that have had “a lasting impact on British pop culture and songwriting”.
Alon took home two awards including rising star, and 4 Non Blondes singer and guitarist Linda Perry received the special international award.
The music icon award was presented to Calvin Harris for “helping shape the sound of contemporary dance and pop over the last two decades”.
Harris, known for his collaborations with stars including Dua Lipa and Rihanna, is, they said, one of the most “impactful producers and songwriters of his generation”.
The Scottish artist made us all feel old by joking that his prospective DJ career had begun by adding his now colleague as a friend on MySpace (remember that, anyone?).
He then thanked his wife, presenter Vick Hope, for, well, “marrying me”.
