It was a golden night for Adele in London. Dressed in a gold ball gown in front of a glittering gold wall, the singer blew away the competition to take home three prizes at the Brit Awards - including the new gender-neutral artist of the year award. 

"I understand why the name of this award has changed," Adele told a rapturous audience. "But I really love being a woman and a female artist. I'm really proud of us." 

Female artists had plenty to celebrate at the star-studded event. Dua Lipa won the prize for best pop or R&B act. Teen superstars Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish picked up the awards for international artists. 

Meanwhile, Little Simz celebrated her best new artist win by bringing her mother on stage. "Look what you've done, mum," said the rapper. "I am living proof that if you work hard at something, no matter where you come from, you can do something extraordinary." 

There is no doubt: the 2022 Brit Awards was full of glitz, glamour and celebrity performances. But for music critic Alexis Petridis, aside from Anne-Marie's brief fall down the stairs, it was a largely predictable evening. 

"AdeleAdele now has 12 Brit awards, one behind Robbie Williams' record total of 13.  won all but one of her categories, a turn of events you could have seen coming a mile off." Likewise, Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo and Dua Lipa are all familiar faces.

For Petridis, attempts to appeal to a younger audience and bring a raft of new stars to the Brits - selling NFTsNon-fungible tokens are digital tokens that represent ownership of unique items. They can be bought and traded online. , hosting gaming platform "afterparties" and introducing TikTok votingVoters on TikTok could only choose from a list of pre-selected nominees.  - fell flat. 

"It's clear that the Brits is developing an issue keeping up with an increasingly fast-paced and divided pop world," Petridis summarised.

"There's a noticeable disjunctureA separation or disconnection.  between what's currently happening in the singles chart - dominated by a new wave of UK rappers and pop-dance hits - and what was on offer." 

But not everyone agrees with Petridis. We should not be so quick to dismiss pop music, argue US professors Donald Roberts and Peter Christenson. 

They argue pop is more than "just music". The philosopher Kenneth BurkeAn American literary theorist and philosopher. He was known for his analyses based on the nature of knowledge.  once said that poetry is "equipment for life". For teenagers, pop provides more "heavy equipment" for life than television, computers or films. It changes how they speak, how they dress, who they are friends with - and can even alter their mood. 

"Pop music at its worst, yes, can be repetitive, low-effort and hugely formulaic," agrees musician Mateus de Sa. But throughout the last century, pop music has had an incredible musical and cultural impact. 

In the 1970s, Elton John brought unique sounds into the mainstream and paved the way for musicians to embrace their sexuality. Today, the lyrics of Beyonce and DrakeThe Canadian musician is one of the most streamed artists on Spotify.  inspire Black artists, empower women and promote a message of "personal, vulnerable reflection".

De Sa believes pop music's fast pace is its power, rather than its weakness. "Pop is always changing, and for as long as it is changing, so will the world of music and popular culture... And that's quite an exciting thought." 

Yes: The answer is obvious. Popular music artists continue to sell millions of albums every year. Their music and their actions influence people all over the world. Pop music is here to stay.

No: Pop music is ultimately meaningless. Its trends change so quickly that major events and awards ceremonies such as the Brits cannot keep up. Millions listen casually, but few people really care.

Or... In the streaming world, genres are becoming increasingly irrelevant. Few musicians define themselves exclusively as pop artists. And listeners are gravitating towards songs that mix musical elements.