Brit Awards nominations go pop!

The nominations for the Brit Awards 2008, the biggest event on the UK's music calendar, were announced by Kelly Osbourne and Reggie Yates at The Roundhouse in north London, ahead of the award ceremony held on Wednesday 20th February, which is to be hosted by Osbourne's parents, Black Sabbath singer Ozzy and his wife Sharon.

For the first time in some years the Brit Awards have nominated at least four major acts, all in with a chance of bagging a handful of awards. Most years there has just been one or two artists dominating the nominations. This year Take That, Mika and Leona Lewis lead the field in a nominations list that puts the emphasis firmly on British pop, kicking Indie music into touch.

All have four nominations apiece and will be fighting for votes in the Best British Album, and Best British Single categories. Arctic Monkeys, Mark Ronson, Kaiser Chiefs, and Kate Nash each have three.

Take That's amazing comeback continues, with the one-time boy-band getting nominations in the Best British Group, and Best Live Act categories also being competed for by the Arctic Monkeys.

Last year's X Factor winner Leona Lewis has four nominations also, and will be competing with KT Tunstall, PJ Harvey, and Bat For Lashes, for the title Best British Female. She is also in competition with Lebanese singer Mika for Best British Breakthrough.

Mika is also one of those with a nomination for Best British Male going head-to-head with Jamie T, Mark Ronson, the dreadlocked Newton Faulkner, and Richard Hawley.

Amy Winehouse has only one nomination - with the Mark Ronson flavoured cover of the Zutons' 'Valerie' which is in the running for Best British Single. Her album 'Back To Black' was the biggest-selling album of 2007, but, it does not qualify for The Brits because it was released in 2006. Mark's single is competing against Arctic Monkeys who are hoping to win Best British Single and Best British Group for the second year running.

Sir Paul McCartney was already announced as the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award and will perform at the ceremony at Earls Court in February. The Brit Awards committee said the former Beatle was being honoured because he, "is one of the greatest songwriters of all time and a member of Britain’s biggest ever group."

The Critic’s Choice award has also been decided. Up-and-coming singer-song-writer Adele has already been named as its recipient. The 19-year-old, whose debut album is yet to be released, performed at the nomination announcement night, alongside Editors, Bat for Lashes and The Hoosiers.


The nominations in full:
British Male Solo Artist
Jamie T
Mark Ronson
Mika
Newton Faulkner
Richard Hawley

British Female Solo Artist
Bat For Lashes
Kate Nash
KT Tunstall
Leona Lewis
PJ Harvey

British Group
Arctic Monkeys
Editors
Girls Aloud
Kaiser Chiefs
Take That

British Album
Arctic Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare
Leona Lewis: Spirit
Mark Ronson: Version
Mika: Life In Cartoon Motion
Take That: Beautiful World

British Breakthrough Act
Bat For Lashes
Kate Nash
Klaxons
Leona Lewis
Mika

British Live Act
Arctic Monkeys
Kaiser Chiefs
Klaxons
Muse
Take That

British Single
The Hoosiers: Worried About Ray
James Blunt: 1973
Kaiser Chiefs: Ruby
Kate Nash: Foundations
Leona Lewis: Bleeding Love
Mark Ronson: Valerie Ft Amy Whinehouse
Mika: Grace Kelly
Mutya Buena: Real Girl
Sugababes: About You Now
Take That: Shine

International Male Solo Artist
Bruce Springsteen
Kanye West
Michael Buble
Rufus Wainwright
Timbaland

International Female Solo Artist
Alicia Keys
Bjork
Feist
Kylie Minogue
Rihanna

International Group
Arcade Fire
Eagles
Foo Fighters
Kings Of Leon
The White Stripes

International Album
Arcade Fire: Neon Bible
Eagles: Long Road Out Of Eden
Foo Fighters: Echoes Silence Patience & Grace
Kings Of Leon: Because Of The Times
Kylie Minogue: X

Outstanding Contribution Award
Paul McCartney

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