Man of the moment Sam Smith leads the nominations for Britain’s most prestigious music awards, the Brits.
The soulful 22-year-old “Stay With Me” singer was nominated for five awards Thursday (Jan. 15), including best album and best male artist.
Ed Sheeran Previews New Song in ‘Cougar Town’ Episode
It was a good year for male British singer-songwriters, as Ed Sheeran and George Ezra each received four nominations.
British rock duo Royal Blood is up for three awards, and female British contenders include FKA Twigs and Ella Henderson. International nominees include U.S. band The War on Drugs, Swedish duo First Aid Kit and solo artists Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Beck.
The winners will be announced during a concert-style ceremony at London’s 02 arena on Feb. 25.
Most winners are decided by a ballot of music-industry members, with some chosen by public vote.
BRITISH MALE SOLO ARTIST
Damon Albarn
Ed Sheeran
George Ezra
Paolo Nutini
Sam Smith
BRITISH FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
Ella Henderson
FKA Twigs
Jessie Ware
Lily Allen
Paloma Faith
BRITISH GROUP
Alt-J
Clean Bandit
Coldplay
One Direction
Royal Blood
BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT
Chvrches
FKA Twigs
George Ezra
Royal Blood
Sam Smith
CRITICS’ CHOICE
James Bay
George The Poet
Years & Years
BRITISH SINGLE
Calvin Harris – “Summer”
Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne – “Rather Be”
Duke Dumont ft. Jax Jones – “I Got U”
Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”
Ella Henderson – “Ghost”
George Ezra – “Budapest”
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Route 94 ft. Jess Glynne – “My Love”
Sam Smith – “Stay With Me”
Sigma – “Nobody to Love”
MASTERCARD BRITISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Alt-J – This Is All Yours
Ed Sheeran – x
George Ezra – Wanted on Voyage
Royal Blood – Royal Blood
Sam Smith – In the Lonely Hour
BRITISH PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Alison Goldfrapp & Will Gregory
Flood
Jake Gosling
Paul Epworth
BRITISH ARTIST VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Calvin Harris – “Summer”
Charli XCX – “Boom Clap”
Duke Dumont ft. Jax Jones – “I Got U”
Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
One Direction – “You & I”
Rita Ora – “I Will Never Let You Down”
Route 94 FT Jess Glynne – “My Love”
Sam Smith – “Stay With Me”
Sigma – “Nobody to Love”
INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST
Beck
Hozier
Jack White
John Legend
Pharrell Williams
INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST
Beyonce
Lana Del Rey
Sia
St Vincent
Taylor Swift
INTERNATIONAL GROUP
5 Seconds of Summer
Black Keys
First Aid Kit
Foo Fighters
The War On Drugs