BRITS nominations honour Tinie Tempah

DOMINATOR: Tinie Tempah should be the big winner

UK rapper Tinie Tempah is the frontrunner for the 2011 BRIT awards, scooping four nominations.  Star of such hit songs, ‘Pass Out’ and ‘Written in the Stars,’ Tempah looked delighted to have been held in such regard at Thursday’s launch ceremony.  He looks set to have a big blast come the time of the prestigious music ceremony, to be held on February 15 at the 02 Arena. 

He was nominated in all the main British categories ‘British Breakthrough Act’ ‘British Single,’ ‘British Male Solo Artist and ‘British Album of the Year’ for ‘Discovery.  Plan B will go face-to-face with Tinie Tempah in three of these categories.  Mercury Prize winners the xx and Mumford & Sons also appear three times on the shortlists.  There are two nominations for Ellie Goulding, proving that she has come a long way from winning the Critics Choice award in 2010.  The reformed Take That earn a couple of nominations and Cheryl Cole will come up against X-Factor stars Alexandra Burke and 2010 winner Matt Cardle for the ‘British Single’ prize.

DOUBLE: Katy Perry is up for two gongs

Having no nominated album meant that Lady Gaga was missing from the nomination scene, which might be seen as a relief to some, after the show she put in last year in the odd-looking dress that she dedicated to late fashion designer Alexander McQueen.  Without Gaga, the international stage looks weaker that normal and the nominations are shared out this time around.  After a sensational year, which included a high-profile marriage to Russell Brand and three No.1 singles, Katy Perry earns herself two nominations and is possibly unlucky to not receive anymore.  Kings of Leon, Eminem, Arcade Fire and Cee Lo Green also receive a pair of nominations.

The ceremony will once again be broadcasted by ITV and sponsored by MasterCard.  The venue switch to the 02 Arena is a new feature, with the BRITS having been traditionally held at the Royal Albert Hall over the previous decade.  The winning trophy has been radically designed by Vivienne Westwood and ex-Gavin & Stacey star James Cordon will host the show. 

Music is almost ready to have its big night of the year, but it will have to take some shock to stop Tinie Tempah dominating the night.

KEY AWARD NOMINATIONS:

British Breakthrough Act: Tinie Tempah, Ellie Goulding, The xx, Mumford & Sons, Rumer                 International Group: Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, The Script, Black Eyed Peas   International Male Solo Artist: Cee Lo Green, Kanye West, Eminem, David Guetta, Bruce Springsteen British Female Solo Artist: Ellie Goulding, Cheryl Cole, Rumer, Laura Marling, Paloma Faith                              British Male Solo Artist: Plan B, Tinie Tempah, Mark Ronson, Paul Weller, Robert Plant                    International Female Solo Artist: Rihanna, Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue, Robyn, Alicia Keys                      BritishGroup: Take That,Mumford & Sons, Gorillaz, The xx, Biffy Clyro                                                      MasterCard British Album: ‘Discovery’ – Tinie Tempah, ‘Sigh No More’ – Mumford & Sons, ‘Progress’ – Take That, ‘’Defamation of Strictland Banks’ – Plan B, ‘The xx’ – The xx