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Brit Awards emphasis on pop

Take That, Mika and Leona Lewis lead the field at this year's Brit Awards in a nominations list that puts the emphasis on pop.

All have four nominations apiece and will go head-to-head in the Best British Album and Best British Single categories. Arctic Monkeys, Mark Ronson, Kaiser Chiefs and Kate Nash each have three.

Take That's career comeback continues to go from strength to strength. Their nominations include Best British Group and Best Live Act - pitting them against Arctic Monkeys.

X Factor winner Leona will do battle for the Best British Female crown with Kate Nash, KT Tunstall, PJ Harvey and Bat For Lashes. She is also in competition with Mika for Best British Breakthrough.

Her four nominations come after a remarkable year which saw her score the fastest-selling British debut album of all time with Spirit, which shifted 375,000 copies in its first week.

Mika is a contender for Best British Male alongside Jamie T, Mark Ronson, Newton Faulkner and Richard Hawley. Newton is the dark horse of the category - the dreadlocked singer-songwriter became a word-of-mouth success last year and his debut album, Hand Built By Robots, has just notched up 500,000 sales.

Arctic Monkeys are hoping to win Best British Group and Best British Single for the second year running.

Amy Winehouse has one nomination - her cover of the Zutons' Valerie with producer Mark Ronson is in the running for Best British Single.

Leona Lewis will also perform at next month's ceremony.

She is the bookies' favourite to win Best British Single with her number one hit Bleeding Love.

The winner of that category will be chosen live on the night.

The Brits - The nominations

Take That, Leon Lewis and Mika are leading the field to scoop up the UK's most prestigious music gongs in 2008.

This is the full list of nominations for this year's Brit Awards.

Best British Male

:: Jamie T

:: Mark Ronson

:: Mika

:: Newton Faulkner

:: Richard Hawley

Best British Female

:: Bat For Lashes

:: Kate Nash

:: KT Tunstall

:: Leona Lewis

:: PJ Harvey

Best British Group

:: Arctic Monkeys

:: Editors

:: Girls Aloud

:: Kaiser Chiefs

:: Take That

Best British Album

:: Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

:: Leona Lewis - Spirit

:: Mark Ronson - Version

:: Mika - Life In Cartoon Motion

:: Take That - Beautiful World

Best British Breakthrough

:: Bat For Lashes

:: Kate Nash

:: Klaxons

:: Leona Lewis

:: Mika

Best Live Act

:: Arctic Monkeys

:: Kaiser Chiefs

:: Klaxons

:: Muse

:: Take That

Best British Single

:: Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love

:: Mika - Grace Kelly

:: Take That - Shine

:: Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby

:: Sugababes - About You Now

:: Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse - Valerie

:: Kate Nash - Foundations

:: The Hoosiers - Worried About Ray

:: James Blunt - 1973

:: Mutya Buena - Real Girl

Best International Male

:: Bruce Springsteen

:: Kanye West

:: Michael Buble

:: Rufus Wainwright

:: Timbaland

Best International Female

:: Alicia Keys

:: Bjork

:: Feist

:: Kylie Minogue

:: Rihanna

Best International Group

:: Arcade Fire

:: Eagles

:: Foo Fighters

:: Kings of Leon

:: White Stripes

Best International Album

:: Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

:: Eagles - Long Road Out Of Eden

:: Foo Fighters - Echoes Silence Patience & Grace

:: Kings of Leon - Because Of The Times

:: Kylie Minogue - X

Critics' Choice Award

:: Adele

Outstanding Contribution To Music

:: Sir Paul McCartney

Kylie and Macca to sing on Brits big night

Kylie Minogue and Sir Paul McCartney are just two of the names on a star-studded list of performers who will grace the stage at this year's Brit Awards.

The Australian star, who recently returned to the limelight after recovering from breast cancer, is hoping to win in the Best International Female and Best International Album categories at the ceremony on February 20.

Sir Paul McCartney, recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, will also perform, as will Kaiser Chiefs, Mark Ronson, Mika, Leona Lewis and Rihanna.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne will host the event from London's Earls Court.

While the shortlist features a number of new acts - including Kate Nash, Bat For Lashes and Klaxons - there is also room for a few golden oldies.

The Eagles are nominated for Best International Group and Best International Album with Long Road Out Of Eden, their first studio album since 1979.

Bruce Springsteen will face the likes of Kanye West and Timbaland for Best International Male.

The nominations were announced by Kelly Osbourne at the Roundhouse in Camden, north London.

Brits back with a pop?

It's out with indie and in with pop this year it seems as the Brit Awards have recognised the huge musical impact of Take That and co.

The renaissance band are leading the nominations, along with X Factor's Leona Lewis and quirky new pop prince Mika, who all have four, while the Arctic Monkeys, Mark Ronson, Kaiser Chiefs and Kate Nash are trailing with three.

So much young blood - and the return of some old hands - spells good news for the music industry, says HMV's Gennaro Castaldo.

"You tend to have just one or two artists dominating the nominations, so it's unprecedented to see at least four major acts all in with a chance of bagging a handful of awards - it says a lot about the strength and vibrancy of British music right now.

"It's great that so many new artists are being recognised, including in the main categories, though Take That winning the Brit for Best Group or Album would certainly be the story of the night, and a wonderful way for them to cap the most remarkable comeback ever made by any UK band or solo artist," Gennaro adds.

With Brit bagger Robbie Williams out of the scene, the British Male field is certainly looking more fertile this year, as the likes of Mika, Mark Ronson Jamie T, Newton Faulkner and Richard Hawley have all got nods.

But Gennaro is putting his money on Mika for the title - and to take Best Album too.

"Mark Ronson is quite rightly popular for his excellent Version, so he must have a chance, but it's difficult to look beyond Mika really, and his distinctive brand of pop.

"At the beginning of 2007 he was barely known to the British public, but after the release of Grace Kelly and his hugely successful debut album Life In Cartoon Motion he rapidly became a household name."

Newcomer Leona Lewis is facing stiff competition from Kate Nash, KT Tunstall and Bat For Lashes for British Female, but will she triumph on the night?

"The main problem she faces may be that the votes cast for her are evenly spread across all the categories, so there's a danger she could end up missing out on all the big awards that she's up for," says Gennaro.

"Having said that, the runaway success of Bleeding Love must make her the hot favourite to collect at least one Brit for the Best Single.

"Her success with four nominations also suggests that the music industry no longer looks down on reality TV shows."

Take That have firmly reclaimed their place at the centre of the UK pop scene - with sell-out tours, some huge hit tunes and even a modelling contract for Marks and Spencer. So it seems only fair they should sweep the board at the Brits.

"Who would have thought that Take That would one day be in line for the prestigious Brits double of British Group and Album, but they have a real chance of pulling off this feat," says Gennaro.

"The genuine affection that exists towards the band across a broad section of the public is now matched by a respect for their songwriting and live performances.

"Many fans and music pundits wouldn't argue against the assertion that Take That are actually better second time around, and few would begrudge them further Brits success following their award for Best Single last year.

"Their main competition is likely to come from the Arctic Monkeys, though it might count against them that they picked up this award last year."

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