Mark Ronson to receive Outstanding Contribution To Music award at 2026 BRIT Awards with Mastercard

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard today announces that multi-award-winning artist and producer Mark Ronson will be honoured with the highly coveted Outstanding Contribution To Music award at this year’s ceremony, taking place at The BRITs’ new Manchester home for 2026 and 2027, the Co-op Live, on Saturday 28th February. Ronson will be there to accept the award in person and is also confirmed to perform on the night, adding to what is shaping up to be another spectacular and unmissable live line-up of British and global talent, which will see fans tuning in from all over the world. The live line-up includes the recently announced Harry Styles, Olivia Dean and Wolf Alice. 

Mark Ronson is widely recognised as one of the most influential figures in contemporary music and has played a pivotal role in shaping era-defining and multi-platinum records for renowned artists worldwide, while also achieving significant international recognition as both a solo artist and producer. His accolades include two BRIT Awards, nine Grammy Awards for notable works such as ‘Uptown Funk’ featuring Bruno Mars and ‘Back To Black’ with Amy Winehouse, as well as an Academy Award and Golden Globe for co-writing ‘Shallow’ with Lady Gaga for the film A Star Is Born.

Over his two decade career, he has accumulated 25 billion global streams and produced numerous multi-platinum records, including ‘Uptown Funk’ with Bruno Mars, ‘Valerie’ with Amy Winehouse, ‘Nothing Breaks Like a Heart’ with Miley Cyrus and ‘Electricity’ with Silk City & Dua Lipa

Renowned for his genre-spanning sound and instinctive collaborations, he is celebrated for bridging the worlds of pop, soul, funk and electronic music, cementing his status as an internationally celebrated cultural tastemaker whose work consistently defines moments in music history. Alongside his production work, he has released a string of critically acclaimed solo albums, with Uptown Special debuting at #1 in the UK, and Uptown Funk a global and UK Number 1. He has also contributed award-winning songs to the soundtracks and scores of Barbie, A Star Is Born, Euphoria and more.

He recently released a best-selling memoir Night People, chronicling his formative years as a DJ in the 1990s New York club scene, and joins an esteemed list of previous BRIT Awards Outstanding Contribution to Music recipients including David Bowie, Oasis, Sir Paul McCartney, Spice Girls, Elton John, Queen, U2, Robbie Williams, P!NK and Blur. 

Mark Ronson said:  

“This is the most meaningful honor 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. I left England as a kid, but this country runs through everything I've made. The UK artists I've worked with—their brilliance and refusal to compromise—shaped not just my work but how I understand what music should do.  And more than anything, it's the crowds here who've sustained and showed up for me. The fans, the festival crowds, the record buyers and streamers—the love has always been overwhelming. I'm beyond grateful for all of it.”

Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK said:

"Mark’s creative influence spans every corner of contemporary culture. He has shaped the musical landscape globally with incredible albums, his own artist releases as well as those in collaboration with phenomenal talents he has discovered and nurtured. Mark has an extraordinary ability to elevate each project he works on. This award recognises his huge contribution to British music’s global story and cements his place as one of the most innovative creators of our time." 

The public vote opened on Friday for Song of the Year with Mastercard and International Song of the Year, exclusively on WhatsApp as part of the BRITs continued partnership with Meta. Fans have the chance to vote for their favourite songs once daily from now until the vote closes at 6pm GMT on Friday 13th February. Casting a vote is as simple as sending a WhatsApp message. To get started, head to the BRITs WhatsApp channel or BRITs socials. Further information on the vote can be found at brits.co.uk/vote.

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Saturday 28th February from Manchester’s Co-op Live, broadcast exclusively on ITV and ITVX and hosted by Jack Whitehall. This year’s BRIT winners trophy has been designed by the acclaimed British and Manchester-born designer Matthew Williamson.

Nominations were recently announced for this year’s awards. Leading the charge for 2026 are Olivia Dean and Lola Young with five nominations each, closely followed by Sam Fender with four nominations following his Mercury Prize win last year. Other British artists up for awards this year include Lily Allen, Calvin Harris, Cynthia Erivo, JADE, Wolf Alice, Ed Sheeran, Little Simz, PinkPantheress, Pulp, RAYE, Skye Newman, Wet Leg and more, with international artists recognised including Alex Warren, Bad Bunny, Doechii, ROSALÍA, sombr, Chappell Roan, CMAT, HUNTR/X - EJAE / Audrey Nuna / REI AMi, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, HAIM and Tame Impala. 

Scottish singer/songwriter Jacob Alon was also recently announced as the winner of this year’s BRITs Critics’ Choice. Rose Gray and SIENNA SPIRO joined Jacob on the shortlist of the prestigious Critics’ Choice award. 

Details for the BRITs Fringe, a programme of engagement taking place across Manchester ahead of this year’s event, were also announced recently. BRITs Fringe celebrates the city’s rich musical heritage, its vibrant contemporary scene and the next generation shaping the future of UK music.

Mastercard will continue their long-standing headline sponsorship of The BRITs as it moves into its 29th year. ITV remains the official broadcaster for the 34th year, with the awards airing on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player. 

These partnerships are vital in supporting and amplifying The BRITs’ vision and values, including fundraising for the awards’ charitable arm, The BRIT Trust, with a core pillar of the Trust the distribution of funds to charities which promote education and wellbeing through music, including The BRIT School and Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy.