BRITs Critics' Choice Award Nominees Revealed

Who will join previous winners Adele, Ellie Goulding and Sam Smith?!

Published 27th Nov 2014

The nominees for The BRIT Awards Critics’ Choice Award have been unveiled this morning (27th November).

Competing for the prestigious honour, which singles out future British music stars, are James Bay, George The Poet and Years & Years.

Making its debut in 2008, all seven of the previous winners - Adele, Florence and the Machine, Ellie Goulding, Jessie J, Emeli Sandé, Tom Odell and Sam Smith - have gone on to achieve huge chart success with a handful even becoming global superstars.

! Years & Years

Hertfordshire born singer-songwriter James Bay said: “I still can't believe it. As much as I hoped, being nominated for the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award is not something I ever imagined would actually happen. What a huge honour.”

Spoken word artist George The Poet – real name George Mpanga – enthused: “I feel privileged to have been shortlisted for the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award. I always dreamed of reaching people and this nomination shows me that I’m on track.”

Hotly tipped electro-pop trio Years & Years – fronted by actor Olly Alexander – said: "Having grown up watching the BRITs we're unbelievably honoured and to be honest quite overwhelmed to be included in the Critics’ Choice Award. We're so grateful to be making music and having this sort of recognition is crazy and ridiculous and nuts in a really good way. Thanks BRITs!“

The Critics’ Choice Award winner will be revealed next Thursday (4th December) and they’ll formally be presented with their award at the BRIT Awards ceremony at London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday 25th February.

! George The Poet