2008 Brit Award Show Preview
Leona Lewis, Mika and Take That Each Receive Four Nominations
On February 20, the British music industry celebrates the 2008 Brit Awards. Leona Lewis, Mika and Take That lead the pack with four nods each.
On the heels of last week's Grammy Awards, the second most thrilling music awards show, The Brit Awards, will be handed out on February 20.
The past 12 months have produced great British music and these awards salute the best of the year including Best British Breakthrough Act nominees Leona Lewis and Mika.
Along with Take That, the reunited 90’s boy band sans Robbie Williams, Lewis and Mika lead the list of nominees with 4 each while Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, Kate Nash and super producer/DJ Mark Ronson vie for trophies in 3 categories.
Unlike the Amy Winehouse dominated Grammy’s, the “Rehab” star has received only 1 nomination for her excellent collaboration with Mark Ronson on “Valerie”. Winehouse won Best British Female Artist and was nominated for Best British Album at last year’s Brit Awards.
Brit Award Categories
The Brit Awards present 7 British only awards, 4 international awards, a Critic’s Choice Award, that goes to newcomer Adele this year, as well as an Outstanding Contribution Award, presented this year to Sir Paul McCartney.
- British Male Solo Artist- Alongside Mika who had no less than four top ten chart singles in 2007, including “Grace Kelly” and “Love Today” and Mark Ronson who had 3 top 10 singles, “Stop Me”, “Oh My God” featuring Lily Allen and “Valerie” featuring Amy Winehouse, are newcomersJamie T, Newton Faulkner and Richard Hawley, all unknowns outside the UK.
- British Female Solo Artist – Girl power favourites KT Tunstall and PJ Harvey go up against newcomers Bat For Lashes and Kate Nash as well as sure-fire pick, Leona Lewis.
- British Group – This mixed bag includes girl band Girls Aloud, boy band Take That as well as alternative favourites Arctic Monkeys, Editors and Kaiser Chiefs.
- British Album – Each album nominated this year has had a successful run in 2007, including Leona Lewis’ Spirit, which has only been in the shops since November but has already become the fastest selling debut album ever. Also in this category, Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare, Mark Ronson – Version, Mika - Life In Cartoon Motion and Take That - Beautiful World.
- British Breakthrough Act - Though there are 5 artists nominated in this category, the true contest exists between Leona Lewis and Mika. Bat For Lashes, Kate Nash and Klaxons round out the nominations.
- British Single - The stiffest competition lies among Leona Lewis – “Bleeding Love”, Mika – “Grace Kelly” and Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse – “Valerie”. Other singles in this category: Take That - “Shine”, Kaiser Chiefs - “Ruby”, Sugababes - “About You Now”, Kate Nash - “Foundations”, The Hoosiers - “Worried About Ray”, James Blunt - “1973” and Mutya Buena - “Real Girl”.
Canadians, The Arcade Fire, received 2 nominations including International Album. Michael Bublé, Rufus Wainwright and Feist all received 1 nomination each.
Scheduled performers include Mark Ronson who will perform “Stop Me”, Mika, who will perform a medley of his singles “Grace Kelly” and “Big Girls (You Are Beautiful)” and Leona Lewis, who will perform “Bleeding Love”.
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne hosted the ceremony held this year at Earl’s Court in London. Take That were the biggest winners at the 2008 Brit Awards.
The 2008 Brit Awards Show telecast can be seen on CBC in Canada on Thursday, February 21 @ 8 p.m. and on BBC America on Sunday, March 9, 2008 @ 8 p.m.
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