News

Brit Awards Critics' Choice Shortlist Announced

• 15th Dec 2010

The countdown to the most exciting music awards ceremony in Britain continues today with the announcement of the three artists shortlisted for the prestigious BRITs Critics’ Choice Award in association with War Child. The nominees are James Blake, Jessie J and The Vaccines.

For the first time since the introduction of the Critics’ Choice Award the winner will be announced, alongside second and third place, on the same day as the official voting for the 2011 awards closes – 15th December.

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 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 2011. Upon today’s announcement of the shortlist, in another first for 2011, the three nominated artists were immediately inducted into the BRITs Voting Academy and are now eligible themselves to vote for The BRIT Awards 2011, following this year’s inclusion of artists in the academy.

For the second 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 third year, will subsequently be an official BRITs event held at London’s IndigO2 on the night of the 15th.

Ben Knowles, Music Director of War Child, says: “The support of the British music industry and its leading artists has been vital to War Child’s ability to carry out life changing work for 15 years. The Critics Choice Awards celebrates the healthy future of British music, something we are very proud to be associated with. War Child are delighted to be aligning with the BRITs fantastic charitable endeavours and re-affirming the amazing power of music to change the lives of young people both in this country and in the world’s harshest war zones.”

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 £12.2 million 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.
Today’s announcement coincides with the Official Voting Day for the 2011 Awards.

www.brits.co.uk

The Vaccines
The Vaccines have been setting industry tongues wagging with excitement ever since they first uploaded a clip of their track ‘If you Wanna’ onto YouTube. Since then they have released their debut double A-sided single 'Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra) / Blow It Up, been signed by Columbia Records, performed on Later… with Jools Holland and has been signed up for the NME 2011 awards tour.

James Blake
With a unique electronic production style every bit as personal and impassioned as his voice or songwriting, James Blake is sketching out his own place in the musical universe.

Jesse J
22 year old Jessie J, Essex born, holds the most incredible voice that will stop you in your tracks. An online phenomena, her debut video for anthem ‘Do It Like A Dude’ stacked up over two million views on YouTube in under a week. Her celebrity fans include Justin Timberlake, N-Dubz, Tinie Tempah and Kylie.