UNITED KINGDOM: Brit award nominations herald homegrown stars

Lily Allen, a 21 year old Londoner scoops 4 nominations at the 2007 Brit Award launch party. Nominated in four categories including Best British Female, Best British Breakthrough Act, Best British Album for Alright Still and Best British Single for Smile, she is closely followed by Muse, and Gnarls Barkley with three nominations apiece when the shortlist was announced on Tuesday (January 16) at the Hammersmith Palais. Muse and Allen will be competing against each other for the coveted British Album award after a year in which homegrown artists accounted for seven of the top ten albums. Barkley bids for a clean sweep in the international awards. Three of the leading singer-songwriters in Britain -- Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae and James Morrison -- secured two nominations each. Two nominations also went to the Arctic Monkeys, the masters of viral hype who led an Internet revolution in the music business and boasted the fastest selling debut album of all time in Britain. They already boast a Mercury Music award. Competition for Best International Male Solo Artist provided an intriguing shortlist spanning the pop generations -- Beck, Bob Dylan, Jack Johnson, Justin Timberlake and Damien Rice. Beyonce, Pink, Nelly Furtado, Christina Aguilera and Cat Power will battle to be named Best International Female Solo Artist when the awards are announced on Valentine's Day, February 14. Jarvis Coker former Pulp front man believes that the Brit judges have got it right this year with Lily Allen. "Lily Allen I think she deserves it. I kind of knew her a bit when she was younger, when she was nine years old and she was quite mouthy then. So I know that is not an act, you know, it is just what she is. So I like that when you know that someone is for real. I am pleased with some of the nominations. I was pleased to see that Cat Power got nominated in the Best International Female category. I was quite surprised by it but her music should be known about by more people and a nomination like that might help bring her to more peoples attention." Critics have praised 2006 as a vintage year for British artists but CD sales dropped 2.5 percent, music giant EMI issued a profits warning and retailer HMV reported losses. Digital music sales more than doubled around the globe in the first half of 2006. But the overall market fell four percent. Britain is the world's third largest music market after the United States and Japan. The Brit Awards also intend to honour Oasis with 'The Outstanding Contribution To Music' Award. The brothers Gallagher have regularly been noted for their contribution to British music since the band formed in Manchester in 1991. The 2007 Brit Awards will take place at London's Earls Court. Stand up comedian Russell Brand will host the star studded event . Full list of nominees are as follows BRITISH MALE SOLO ARTIST :: James Morrison :: Jarvis Cocker :: Lemar :: Paolo Nutini :: Thom Yorke BRITISH FEMALE SOLO ARTIST :: Amy Winehouse :: Corinne Bailey Rae :: Jamelia :: Lily Allen :: Nerina Pallot BRITISH GROUP :: Arctic Monkeys :: Kasabian :: Muse :: Razorlight :: Snow Patrol MASTERCARD BRITISH ALBUM :: Amy Winehouse - Back To Black :: Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not :: Lily Allen - Alright Still :: Muse - Black Holes & Revelations :: Snow Patrol - Eyes Open BRITISH SINGLE SHORTLIST :: Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On :: The Feeling - Fill My Little World :: James Morrison - You Give Me Something :: The Kooks - She Moves In Her Own Way :: Leona Lewis - A Moment Like This :: Lily Allen - Smile :: Razorlight - America :: Sandi Thom - I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker :: Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars :: Take That - Patience :: Will Young - All Time Love BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT :: Corinne Bailey Rae :: The Fratellis :: James Morrison :: The Kooks :: Lily Allen BRITISH LIVE ACT :: George Michael :: Guillemots :: Kasabian :: Muse :: Robbie Williams INTERNATIONAL MALE SOLO ARTIST :: Beck :: Bob Dylan :: Damien Rice :: Jack Johnson :: Justin Timberlake INTERNATIONAL FEMALE SOLO ARTIST :: Beyonce :: Cat Power :: Christina Aguilera :: Nelly Furtado :: Pink INTERNATIONAL GROUP :: The Flaming Lips :: Gnarls Barley :: The Killers :: Red Hot Chili Peppers :: Scissor Sisters INTERNATIONAL ALBUM :: Bob Dylan - Modern Times :: Gnarls Barkley - St Elsewhere :: Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds :: The Killers - Sam's Town :: Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH ACT :: Gnarls Barkley :: Orson :: The Raconteurs :: Ray Lamontagne :: Wolfmother OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC :: Oasis

ITN Source | January 17, 2007

Tags:. .mercury. .intriguing. .elsewhere. .hype. .chili