Who will win at this year’s Brit Awards? Tell us your predictions at the bottom of this article
- Source: Freebase
Women dominate the nominations for this year’s Brit Awards, but with one notable exception: Susan Boyle, the Scottish singing sensation who had the biggest selling album of 2009, was absent from the shortlists announced last night.
Boyle, who was discovered on the ITV show Britain’s Got Talent, has sold more than three million copies of her debut album I Dreamed A Dream, which topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, but did not feature in either the British Female Solo Artist or Best Album categories.
Instead, Lady Gaga, Florence and the Machine, Lily Allen, and Pixie Lott all featured three times in the nominations, which are picked by the Brits voting academy, consisting of more than 1,000 music industry figures and media observers, including journalists from The Times.
Florence Welch, the London born singer who is the voice of Florence and the Machine, was awarded the Critics’ Choice award last year, and this year features in the categories for British Female Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act and Mastercard British Album, for debut release Lungs, which finally topped the charts this week.
The American singer Lady Gaga, who will perform live at the Brits ceremony, was shortlisted in the international categories for Best Female Artist, Best Album, and Breakthrough Act when the nominations were revealed at the O2 Arena in London.
Robbie Williams, who has already scooped this year’s Outstanding Contribution To Music prize, was nominated for British Male Solo Artist, alongside Mika, Paolo Nutini, Dizzee Rascal and Calvin Harris. Williams, the former Take That star, will also perform at the main event, screened on ITV, which marks the 30th anniversary of the awards.
Lott and Allen line up alongside Leona Lewis and Natasha Khan, better known as Bat For Lashes, in the British Female Solo Artist category.
There was no nod for Arctic Monkeys in the British Group Category, with Doves, Friendly Fires, JLS, Kasabian and Muse all receiving nominations. Muse received no recognition for their critically acclaimed record The Resistance in the album prize, with nominations instead going to Dizzee Rascal, Kasabian, Dirtee Stank, Nutini and Allen.
The winners of the majority of the categories are chosen by the voting academy, although commercial radio listeners will pick the best British single from a shortlist of ten that includes Cheryl Cole and Joe McElderry, winner of last year’s series of The X Factor.
The ceremony takes place at Earl’s Court London on February 16.
A special award for the best Brit Awards performance of the last 30 years will also be voted for online by the public. JLS, Kasabian and Dizzee Rascal will also perform at the awards ceremony.
Ged Doherty, chairman of the Brits committee said, “It’s an exciting line-up. These acts are young, vibrant and hugely talented. Each brings something different to the Brits party. With Robbie Williams already confirmed and more surprises in store, Brits 30 will be the music event of the year.”
Who will win at this year’s Brit Awards? Tell us your predictions below and we will report back on who came closest after the ceremony. To help you, here is the full list of nominees.
