Emeli Sandé, Rita Ora, & Rihanna Score BRIT Awards Nominations
While she hasn’t officially made her U.S. debut, Emeli Sandé continues to conquer the U.K. The Scottish singer-songwriter leads the nominations at the 2013 BRIT Awards along with Mumford & Sons and Alt-J.
Sandé, who’s written for Alicia Keys and Rihanna, is nominated four times including British Female Solo Artist and Album of the Year for her breakthrough debut Our Version of Events, and has two songs in the British Single category.
“You go from nobody knowing who you are and then getting to do something like the Olympics,” Sandé told Rolling Stone at the nominations ceremony. “The success of the album has been incredible.”
Rita Ora scores three nods including British Breakthrough Act and two in the British Single category for “R.I.P.” and “Hot Right Now” with DJ Fresh.
“I’m pretty speechless, which is very rare for Rita,” the shocked singer told “Showbiz 411.”
Rihanna is nominated twice in the categories of British Single for her collaboration with Coldplay, “Princess of China,” and International Female Solo Artist. She will compete against Alicia Keys, Lana Del Rey, and Taylor Swift in the latter.
Frank Ocean earns a nomination for International Male Solo Artist, while the late Amy Winehouse receives a nod for British Female Solo Artist for her posthumous album Lioness: Hidden Treasures.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on February 20. Click here for a full list of nominees.