News

Emeli Sande Wins Critics' Choice Brit Award

• 15th Dec 2011

Today The BRITs can reveal that Emeli Sandé is the winner of this year’s prestigious Critics’ Choice Award, with Maverick Sabre in second place and Michael Kiwanuka in third.

For a relative newcomer Scottish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sandé has already had an incredible career. As a published writer she’s written hit singles for Chipmunk and Wiley as well as album tracks for Cheryl Cole, Susan Boyle and Tinie Tempah. Since signing a record deal with Virgin Records in 2011, Emeli has had a No. 2 debut single with ‘Heaven’ and a No.1 single with Professor Green, ‘Read All About It’. Emeli received rave reviews for her recent headline sold out tour and is currently supporting Coldplay across the UK and Europe. Her outstanding song writing, breath-taking vocals and credible compositions have won her fans across the board and her hugely anticipated debut album, ‘Our version of Events’ will be released in February 2012.

As the winner, Emeli Sande will perform at The BRITs Nominations Launch event on the 12th of January at The Savoy Hotel.

Emeli said of her win, “To win a BRIT Award so early in my career is beyond a dream come true. I am overwhelmed to be the recipient of such a prestigious award. Thank you so much.”

The Critics’ Choice Award is for new British acts that the critics tip for mainstream success in the forthcoming year. In previous years it has been awarded to Jessie J (2011), Ellie Goulding (2010), Florence and the Machine (2009) and Adele (2008). The artists are chosen by a team of experts including the music editors of national newspapers, key music and lifestyle magazines and music websites plus the heads of music at major radio and music TV stations. The Award is open to artists signed to a label who are set to release their debut albums in 2012 and over 100 artists from a range of genres were considered for the award.

For the third year running, the Critics’ Choice Award will also be presented in association with War Child, an international charity that protects children living in the world’s most dangerous war zones. The BRITs are working alongside the charity and the annual War Child gig, now in its fourth year.

Fundraising Director for War Child Ben Knowles said: “We believe music makes a difference. It plays an invaluable part in helping us bring hope to children in the world’s harshest war zones. War Child are delighted to again be associated with the BRITs Critics’ Choice and the best new UK artists; we congratulate Emeli and look forward to hopefully working with her, Michael and Maverick Sabre in the future.”

The BRIT Awards’ involvement with War Child complements a long standing association with the Awards’ own BRIT Trust charity. The Awards have raised more than £13m for the Trust, whose main beneficiaries are the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology (link) the only free performing arts school in the UK, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy (link) and other selected charities which match the mission criteria.

This week has also seen the final day for the Voting Academy to cast their votes for the winners of The BRIT Awards 2012 with voting closing yesterday.

Emeli Sande
Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande first found fame after featuring on Chipmunk’s single ‘Diamond Rings’ and she has since appeared on tracks with Wiley, Devlin and Professor Green. She has also written for various artists including Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle and Tinie Tempah and released her debut solo single ‘Heaven’ in August which entered the UK charts at No.2. Emeli received rave reviews for her recent headline sold out tour and is currently supporting Coldplay across the UK and Europe. Her hugely anticipated debut album 'Our Version of Events' will be released in February 2012.

Maverick Sabre
Maverick Sabre has quickly established himself as one of the most unique voices in UK pop. A genuine talent who worked his way to prominence, his voice has done the talking. Retro-tinged soul numbers meet the hardened lyrics of his past. It’s the sound of a man that has lived a life, with no outside assistance, just his voice and an indefinable inner belief. London-born and Irish raised, his childhood has given him a unique voice, blending the accents he picked up in the two areas of his childhood with a natural voice that he has developed since first emerging with his ‘The Travelling Man’ mixtape. At first a rapper, he found his own voice over time, and this is what shines through here. As a socially-aware voice for his generation, he is in a unique position for these uncertain times.

Michael Kiwanuka
Young North London soul star Michael Kiwanuka has been turning heads with his timeless vocal since supporting Adele across the UK and Europe earlier this year. His debut EP ‘Tell Me A Tale’ and the forthcoming ‘Home Again’ EP underline exactly why his soulful R&B guitar songs are so effortlessly alluring.

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