[Shaun]

Blur are set to be honoured at next year's Brit Awards for their outstanding contribution to music.

It comes 21 years after their debut and 17 years since they won four Brits off the back of their Parklife album.

"It's great to have recognition for all the work and all the heartache and all the joy that's gone into this band," said frontman Damon Albarn.

The four-piece briefly reformed in summer 2009 but chose to disband after a series of high profile outdoor shows.

Blur will receive the award at the Brits ceremony in February, held at London's 02 arena.

There has so far been no comment on whether the band will perform on the night.

Guitarist Graham Coxon said the band had not changed over the years.

"Being in a band this long is like a kind of time travel," he said.
Sir Peter Blake and Brit award This year's Brit Awards statue has been designed by Sir Peter Blake

"We're the same gang we ever were, we've just landed in a different era.

"Or possibly we're a totally different Blur still playing the old tunes in 1991 forever. I haven't decided.

"But it's always nice to get a Brit Award," added Coxon.

The band's only previous success at the awards was in 1995 when - at the height of the Britpop boom - they picked up best album, best single, best video and best group.

Previous winners of the outstanding contribution award include Sir Paul McCartney, Paul Weller and Oasis.

This year's Brit Awards statue has been designed by Sir Peter Blake. The artist is also known for his collage cover for The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.

Blur reformed for a series of performances in 2009, including two shows at Hyde Park in London and a headline slot at Glastonbury.

Despite rumours of new recordings, the band called a halt to the reunion at the end of the summer.

The full list of Brit Awards nominations is due to be announced on 12 January at London's Savoy Hotel.

The new trophy, designed by Sir Peter Blake (behind the artwork for Sgt. Peppers):

[GypsyGoth]

Not sure about the trophy. I think there should be more gold on it.

[Niamh.]

I hate that trophy, It looks like it's made out of empty beer cans :/

Great news about Blur though

[Black Dagger]

ABOUT ****ING TIME.

Much deserved.

[Smithy]

Last years trophy>>>>

[Shaun]

The shortlist for the critics' choice award at next year's Brit Awards have been announced.

Emeli Sande, Maverick Sabre and Michael Kiwanuka are all nominated in the category.

The award is given to an artist or group who music critics think will be most successful act in the coming year.

Previous winners include Adele, Jessie J, Ellie Goulding and Florence and the Machine.

If Emeli Sande wins, it will be the fifth year in a row that the trophy has been awarded to a female artist.

The nominees are chosen by music industry experts including figures from radio, television and music magazines.

To qualify for the award, artists must be due to release their debut album in 2012.

The winner will be revealed on Thursday 15 December.

Emeli Sande has already had chart success in the UK with solo singles Heaven and Daddy.

She topped the singles chart last month with Read All About It, a collaboration with Professor Green.

Her debut album, Our Version Of Events, is due to be released in February.

Maverick Sabre scored top 20 hits earlier this year with his singles Let Me Go and I Need.

The singer tweeted that he was "delighted" to be nominated for the award.

London soul singer Michael Kiwanuka has been compared to Otis Reading and Bill Withers and has previously supported Adele on tour.

He was also recently nominated for the BBC Sound of 2012 poll.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Blur will receive the outstanding contribution award at the ceremony.

The Brit Awards take place in London on 21 February.

-doesn't care about any of these-

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

why no cocknbullkid

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

is she actually that irrelevant

idc shes amazing

[Smithy]

coz she's already release an album

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

ellie already released lights when she won hers

[Smithy]

no she hadn't

[Shaun]

Emile Sande's won it:

Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande has won the Brits Critics Choice award, which rewards up-and-coming talent.

The 24-year-old, who gave up medicine to pursue her career in music, has already scored hits with solo singles Heaven and Daddy.

She also appeared on Professor Green's number one hit Read All About It, and is currently supporting label mates Coldplay on their European tour.

Sande will pick up her prize at the Brits ceremony on 21 February, 2012.

Previous winners of the critics choice award include Adele, Jessie J and Florence And The Machine.

Sande, whose full name is Adele Emily Sande, was born in Alford, Aberdeenshire, and is instantly recognisable by her peroxide blonde quiff.

She was a fourth year medical student in Glasgow when, while vacuuming her bedroom, she wrote the hook for a song called Diamond Rings and gave it to rapper Chipmunk.

Released as a single, with Sande on guest vocals, it became a top 10 hit and EMI handed her a publishing deal.

Speaking to Radio 1's Newsbeat earlier this year, she said it had been hard to give up her degree.

"It was a massive crossroads. It was the first massive risk I took."

"On the medical school course I had seen people who'd dreamed of being doctors since they were four as I had dreamt of doing music since that age - that was my inspiration."

Having left university, she made her living writing tracks for the likes of Cher Lloyd, Susan Boyle and Cheryl Cole.

She also continued to work as a featured artist, recording with urban stars such as Tinie Tempah, Wiley and Professor Green - who took her to number one on his single Read All About It.

Maverick Sabre and Michael Kiwanuka Maverick Sabre (left) and Michael Kiwanuka took second and third place in the Critics Choice award

Sande's own demo recordings surfaced earlier this year and by late August, she had scored her first solo hit with Heaven, a gospel-tinged R&B song, propelled by clattering 1990s drum loops.

Citing influences such as Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone, she plans to release her debut album, Our Version Of Events, in February.

Sande was chosen for the Brit award by a panel of music experts, who narrowed down an initial shortlist of more than 100 acts.

"To win a Brit Award so early in my career is beyond a dream come true," she said.

"I am overwhelmed to be the recipient of such a prestigious award."

Second place went to soulful rapper Maverick Sabre, while singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka came third.

[King Gizzard]

Good old Heskey, about time

[Black Dagger]

I didn't like all three artists, so it was a 'best of the worst for me'

Well done Emeli.

[Shaun]

...

Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is leading the charge at this year's Brit Awards, with four nominations.

The 20-year-old is up for best male, breakthrough act, best single for The A Team, and best album for his debut record, which is called +.

Pop star Jessie J is up for three awards - best female, breakthrough act and best single for her hit Price Tag.

Organisers have also announced that Adele will perform live at this year's ceremony next month.

It will be her first confirmed live performance since recovering from throat surgery.

The singer is also nominated in three categories - best female, best single for Someone Like You and best album for 21.

Sheeran told the BBC he was "ecstatic, really happy and pleased" to be recognised at this year's awards.

He will go up against James Blake, James Morrison, Professor Green and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds in the best male category.

Professor Green, who has received his first Brit nomination, told the BBC: "I've been sat at a [Brits] table three times. This will be my fourth time, so it's nice to be nominated."

The best album category will see Sheeran and Adele compete with Coldplay for Mylo Xyloto, Florence and the Machine for Ceremonials and PJ Harvey's Mercury Prize-winning Let England Shake.

Sheeran said: "I think any artist would really want to win the best album award - but to be honest I think Adele will win that one."

Jessie J, who was awarded the Brits Critics' Choice prize for 2011 told the BBC she "would never have imagined this last year".

"I remember sitting at the table and thinking, next year I want to be voted best female. Even if I don't win, it's just being nominated and the feeling of that."

Also in the best female category are Adele, Florence and the Machine, Kate Bush and last year's winner Laura Marling.

The star, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, admitted she would be facing stiff competition in some of the categories.

"Award ceremonies aren't fun if the competition isn't tough," she said. "The standard of British music is so big right now that whoever wins deserves it."

Coldplay have a second nomination for best group, along with Chase and Status, Arctic Monkeys, Elbow and Kasabian.

Ten tracks are up for best single, including Example's Changed The Way You Kissed Me, One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful and The Military Wives' number one, Wherever You Are.

The four international categories also see two nominations for Aloe Blacc as well as nods for Bruno Mars, Beyonce, Rihanna, Foo Fighters and Maroon 5.

Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande has already been announced as the recipient of this year's Critics Choice award, which recognises up-and-coming talent.

She was presented her Brit trophy - designed by Sir Peter Blake - by Jessie J at Thursday's nominations launch event at London's Savoy Hotel.

The singer is also nominated for breakthrough act along with Sheeran, Jessie J, Anna Calvi and The Vaccines.

In a year when the music press has bemoaned the lack of new British rock bands breaking into the mainstream, The Vaccines told the BBC their nomination was proof it was possible for guitar bands.

"We've connected with people on a vast mainstream level," they said.

"Just to be included in this and to be recognised as a band who have had a successful year is vindication."

The main prizes - including a lifetime achievement prize for Britpop band Blur - will be handed out at the O2 Arena on 21 February.

[Shaun]

British Male Solo Artist
Ed Sheeran
James Blake
James Morrison
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Professor Green

British Female Solo Artist
Adele
Florence & The Machine
Jessie J
Kate Bush
Laura Marling

British Breakthrough Act
Anna Calvi
Ed Sheeran
Emeli Sande
Jessie J
The Vaccines

British Group
Arctic Monkeys
Chase & Status
Coldplay
Elbow
Kasabian

British Single
Adele - Someone Like You
Ed Sheeran - The A Team
Example - Changed The Way You Kissed Me
Jessie J Ft B.o.B. - Price Tag
JLS Ft Dev - She Makes Me Wanna
Military Wives/Gareth Malone - Wherever You Are
Olly Murs Ft Rizzle Kicks - Heart Skips A Beat
One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
Pixie Lott - All About Tonight
The Wanted - Glad You Came

British Album of the Year
Adele - 21
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Ed Sheeran - +
Florence & The Machine - Ceremonials
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

International Male Solo Artist
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Bruno Mars
David Guetta
Ryan Adams

International Female Solo Artist
Beyonce
Bjork
Feist
Lady Gaga
Rihanna

International Group
Fleet Foxes
Foo Fighters
Jay Z / Kanye West
Lady Antebellum
Maroon 5

International Breakthrough Act
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Foster The People
Lana Del Rey
Nicki Minaj

British Producer
Paul Epworth
Flood
Ethan Johns

Outstanding Contribution To Music - Blur
Critics' Choice- Emeli Sande

@ Kate getting a nomination and the Int. Female noms.
Appalling set of singles as usual, hopefully Someone Like You will win that.

[Doogle]

She Makes Me Wanna? I'm sorry what.

[Brother Leon]

How are Jessie J and Niki Minaj still breakthrough acts?

[Black Dagger]

Originally Posted by Doogle

She Makes Me Wanna? I'm sorry what.

It'll win as well, their fans are jizzing their pants currently on Twitter about how it was the best 2011 song and it'll win by a land-slide.

Bon Iver for International Breakthrough as well, they have been around ages, uneducated ********

[Shaun]

I don't think the Brits have researched Bon Iver at all - they're a band, and debuted in 2008 :/

[Black Dagger]

Originally Posted by Shaun

I don't think the Brits have researched Bon Iver at all - they're a band, and debuted in 2008 :/

I hope they win and are all like 'do these people know who we are'...

[seanraff07]

Hope Noel Gallagher and Kasabian win their awards.

And great news about Blur!

[seanraff07]

Miles Kane should be in the breakthrough acts, but they don't have a clue.

[Locke.]

British Male Solo Artist
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

British Female Solo Artist
Jessie J

British Breakthrough Act
Jessie J

British Group
Arctic Monkeys

British Single
Adele - Someone Like You

British Album of the Year
Adele - 21

International Male Solo Artist
Bruno Mars

International Female Solo Artist
Rihanna

International Group
Jay Z / Kanye West

International Breakthrough Act
Lana Del Rey

There are the rightful winners right there

[Shaun]

would like to see (but it's unlikely; but then again so was Laura Marling winning best female last year):

British Male Solo Artist - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
British Female Solo Artist - Kate Bush (anyone but Jessie J)
British Breakthrough Act - Anna Calvi
British Group - Kasabian
British Single - Adele - Someone Like You
British Album of the Year - PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
International Male Solo Artist - Bon Iver. Not that they apply
International Female Solo Artist - Beyonce/Bjork
International Group - Fleet Foxes (or The Throne)
International Breakthrough Act - Lana Del Rey (would love Bon Iver too but they aren't 2011 breakthroughs :/) wouldn't mind FTP either.
British Producer - Flood