James Bay, George The Poet and the band Years And Years are set to battle it out for the Brits Critics’ Choice Award 2015.
The three acts make up the shortlist for the award, which has a history of catapulting its winners to stardom.
James Bay
The prestigious prize celebrates the best new music and previous winners have included Adele and, in 2014, Sam Smith.
James Bay, a 24-year-old singer-songwriter, has already been named as the favourite to win by a number of critics, and speaking of the shortlist, he says: ““I still can't believe it.
“As much as I hoped, being nominated for the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award is not something I ever imagined would actually happen. What a huge honour.”
George The Poet, real name George Mpang, is a rapper and spoken-word artist, who has already worked with a number of big names, including Naughty Boy, and during the 2012 London Olympics his poem ‘My City’ received huge amounts of attention online.
George The Poet
“I feel privileged to have been shortlisted for the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award,” George said of the nod. “I always dreamed of reaching people and this nomination shows me that I’m on track.”
Years And Years are the third and final act on the list, and their frontman Olly Alexander also has a budding acting career, having made appearances in ‘The Riot Club’ and 2010’s ‘Gulliver’s Travels’.
Years And Years
The trio are understandably excited to be in the running for the prize, stating: "Having grown up watching the BRITs we're unbelievably honoured and to be honest quite overwhelmed to be included in the Critics’ Choice Award.
“We're so grateful to be making music and having this sort of recognition is crazy and ridiculous and nuts in a really good way. Thanks BRITs!“
The winner will be announced on Thursday 4 December and the award itself will be presented at the Brit Awards 2015 on Wednesday 25 February.