Photo: WENN.com
The BRIT Awards 2013 nominations were unveiled at the plush Lancaster Ballroom of The Savoy Hotel on Thursday (11 January) and there were little surprises as the biggest stars of 2012 were given the chance of winning a prize.
The BRITS usually follow a pattern of the best-selling artists taking home the awards, but who would we like to see win? We want to see people win these accolades because they deserve them, not just because they are in attendance or have accumulated quite a lot of fans.
Here's a Gigwise run-down of who we would like to see win a BRIT award and who we think actually will take home this year's spotty price.
Mastercard British Album Of The Year: Emeli Sande – Our Version Of Events, Mumford & Sons – Babel, Alt-J – An Awesome Wave, Plan B – iLL Manors, Paloma Faith – Fall To Grace
This one has got to be a forgone conclusion hasn't it? Emeli Sande's Our Version Of Events is one of the biggest records of the year, selling millions of copies. If that wasn't enough, last year's Critics' Choice award winner will be performing at the ceremony, which usually means you are a shoe-in for an award.
It would be great to see Alt-J or Plan B take this one home with them, but unfortunately it's difficult to look past Sande's album as it has all the ingredients to win, including a BRIT friendly artist.
Best British Single with Capital FM: Adele - 'Skyfall', Alex Clare - 'Too Close', Coldplay & Rihanna - 'Princess of China', DJ Fresh feat. Rita Ora - 'Hot Right Now', Emeli Sandé - 'Next To Me', Florence & The Machine - 'Spectrum', James Arthur - 'Impossible', Jessie J - 'Domino', Labrinth Feat. Emeli Sandé – 'Beneath Your Beautiful', Olly Murs feat. Flo Rida 'Troublemaker', Rita Ora feat. Tinie Tempah - 'R.I.P.', Rizzle Kicks - 'Mama Do The Hump', Robbie Williams - 'Candy', Rudimental Feat. John Newman - 'Feel The Love', Stooshe - 'Black Heart'.
The Best British Single is voted for by the British public so you generally just have to look at the fanbase of each artist to find the winner. This should be a battle between big pop names such as Jessie J and Rita Ora - who have hugely dedicated fanbases, but don't be surprised to see 'Candy' by Robbie Williams take top spot as his legion of fans ensure he will be in with a shout.
Tracks like Rudimental's 'Feel The Love' and Alex Clare's 'Too Close' are nominations that a lot of us would love to see take to the stage to accept an award, but there are just too many massive pop names in this category for them to have any chance of winning.
British Male Solo Artist: Calvin Harris, Olly Murs, Ben Howard, Richard Hawley, Plan B
This category is one of the few that realistically could be won be any of the nominees. Calvin Harris, Plan B and Olly Murs all have a good chance of winning a coveted Brit award. Calvin Harris is the most likely after being behind some of the biggest pop tracks of 2012. Olly Murs is sure to be in attendance which always seems to boost chances of actually winning an award, but has he really done enough?
This category actually shows the lack of talented British males that have been produced recently. Unsurprisingly one the of least exciting categories, let's hope Richard Hawley somehow is announced as the winner as easily the most talented performer on the list.
British Female Solo Artist: Bat For Lashes, Amy Winehouse, Emeli Sande, Paloma Faith, Jessie Ware
British Female is a tough one to call simply because of the nomination for Amy Winehouse. In a lovely touch, organisers have recognised the talents of Winehouse with this nod, but does that mean she has to be given the award? Emeli Sande would be the hands-down favourite, if it wasn't for the homage to Winehouse.
It would be a special moment to see Amy Winehouse given this award as she was such a special talent and who could argue with that? We're sure Sande will have picked up a BRIT or two by this time anyway.
Emeli Sande is nominated for three Brit Awards
British Group: One Direction, Alt-J, Muse Mumford & Sons, The xx
All of the acts in this category have an argument to win the BRIT award for Best British Group. Alt-J have been a revelation, Mumford & Sons released a brilliant album, Muse are one of the biggest rock bands on the planet, The xx conquered the difficult second album syndrome and One Direction are One Direction.
Unfortunately this is likely to be won by anyone but The xx and Alt-J as the other three bands go head-to-head. It's hard to look further than One Direction, who have such a huge fanbase and have sold a ridiculous amount of records worldwide.
British Breakthrough: Jessie Ware, Jake Bugg, Rita Ora, Ben Howard, Alt-J
Another one of the more interesting categories as once again each nominee has a case for winning. Alt-J already have a Mercury Prize under their belt so it could be argued that no one could have a better breakthrough year than that. However, Rita Ora has been everywhere and has been on some of the best-selling pop tracks of 2012. Expect Ora to take this one home with her.
Choosing someone like Jake Bugg as the Best British Breakthrough would restore a bit of faith into these award ceremonies , but that just won't be happening.
International Group: Alabama Shakes, Fun. The Script, The Killers, The Black Keys
The signs are there for The Script to be announced as the winners of Best International Group. Danny O'Donoghue was in attendance for the nominations launch and the Irish trio could pinch this one after a successful 2012 comeback. The Killers enjoyed a hugely successful 2012 as well, so don't count them out either.
The Black Keys have hugely increased their UK following this year and put themselves on the chart map as well as putting themselves in with a chance of conquering this category. Hopefully that is the case.
Danny O'Donoghue was representing The Script at the BRIT Awards 2013 Nominations Launch
International Male Solo Artist: Bruce Springsteen, Michael Buble, Frank Ocean, Gotye Jack White
Most people would love to see Frank Ocean win this category and hopefully he's in with a good chance after debut album Channel Orange received such critical acclaim. Jack White would also be a worthy winner, but neither of these artists are likely to turn up come Wednesday, 20 February and who can blame them.
Would you want to risk being there to be pipped to the post by Grandmother's favourite, Michael Buble?
International Female Solo Artist: Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Cat Power, Lana Del Rey
Rihanna has had a huge 2012, but she seems to have one of those every year. Is it time to pass over the International Female title? Taylor Swift would please the pop fans and people would love to see her in attendance on the night to see if she comes arm in arm with One Direction's Harry Styles.
But not everyone cares about that sort of thing, so let's pray for a gong for Lana Del Rey or Cat Power. It would be nice see a less obvious foreign female champion for a change.
Who do you want to win an award at this year's BRITs? Let us know below!
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