BRITs 2019 Critics' Choice Award nominees announced
29 November 2018, 11:27
Lewis Capaldi, Mahalia and Sam Fender are the three artists on the shortlist for the BRIT Awards' 2019 Critics' Choice Award.
The Critics' Choice Award is given to an upcoming British artist who's expected to have a big impact in the coming year.
The shortlist is chosen by a panel of music experts and is open to new acts who haven't yet achieved chart success. Previous winners of the include Adele, Sam Smith, Rag'n'Bone Man and Florence + The Machine.
> BRIT Awards 2019: This year's host, date, trophy and how to get tickets
The 2018 winner was singer-songwriter Jorja Smith who has gone on to have an incredible year. Jorja released her debut studio album Lost & Found in June and the album's lead single 'Blue Lights' charted on The Official Vodafone Big Top 40.
The 2019 Critics' Choice Award winner will be announced in just over a week on Friday 7th December, ahead of The BRIT Awards 2019 itself which is on Wednesday 20th February.
BRITs 2019 Critics' Choice Award shortlist
Lewis Capaldi
Songs to check out: 'Bruises', 'Grace'
Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi released his debut track 'Bruises' back in 2016.
Since then, he's racked up almost 250 million plays across streaming services and sold-out four headline tours.
Lewis opened for Sam Smith on his European tour and is also supporting Bastille on their tour in February.
Mahalia
Songs to check out: 'Sober', 'I Wish I Missed My Ex'
Hailing from Leicester, R&B singer Mahalia has collaborated with Little Simz and Kojey Radical in the past.
The 20-year-old wrote her first song aged eight and signed her first major record label deal aged thirteen.
She's previously toured with Ed Sheeran and Emeli Sande and played Thea in the 2016 film Brotherhood
Sam Fender
Songs to check out: 'Dead Boys', 'The Sound'
Newcastle-based Sam Fender signed to the Polydor record label in June.
He's just released his debut EP Dead Boys, which was recorded in his own warehouse studio by the River Tyne.
