LONDON, UK (Top40 Charts) The BRITs reveal
Tom Odell as the winner of this year's prestigious Critics' Choice Award, with
AlunaGeorge and
Laura Mvula as runners up. Odell is the first male winner.
West Sussex-born Odell has been writing songs from the age of 13. Now 22, Tom has built up a sizeable fanbase, with support from the public and critics alike. He released his debut E.P 'Songs From Another Love' to much acclaim in late 2012, following the release with a performance on Later...with Jools Holland. 2013 is set to be an incredible year for this fantastic new British artist.
On winning the Critics' Choice Award, Tom said:"I'm thrilled and honoured to win the BRITs Critics' Choice Award. I genuinely can't believe it. Thank you so much. Looking at the list of amazing female artists who have won the Award already, I just hope I don't let the boys down!"
The Critics' Choice Award is for British acts tipped by critics for mainstream success in the forthcoming year who are yet to release their debut album. In previous years it has been awarded to Emeli Sandé (2012),
Jessie J (2011),
Ellie Goulding (2010), Florence and the Machine (2009) and
Adele (2008). The winner is chosen by a team of experts including the music editors of national newspapers, key music and lifestyle magazines, music websites and the heads of music at major radio and music TV stations.
Full category list announced including first BRITs Global Success Award
Music has always been one of the nation's greatest global exports and for the first time the phenomenal achievement of British artists overseas will be recognised with the new BRITs Global Success Award.
The BRITs Global Success Award recipient will be the act with the highest international sales achieved during the 2012 calendar year. These figures exclude UK sales.
2013 will also see the return of British Live Act for the first time since 2009.
The BRIT Awards 2013 with MasterCard will see 11 bespoke
Damien Hirst designed trophies presented on the night to those artists who have enjoyed extraordinary success over the last year, both in the UK and internationally. There is no higher accolade in British music.
A 12th trophy will be presented to War Child in recognition of their incredible work as the charity celebrate their 20th year. Two awards (British Producer of the Year in association with the MPG Awards and the Critics' Choice Award in association with War Child) will be presented in advance of the ceremony.
Full category list:
British Male Solo Artist
British Female Solo Artist
British Breakthrough Act
British Group
British Live Act
Critics' Choice
British Single
MasterCard British Album of the Year
BRITs Global Success
British Producer Of The Year
International Male Solo Artist
International Female Solo Artist
International Group
Special Recognition Award - To be awarded to War Child.