Rapper Tinie Tempah tops Brit Awards 2011 nominations

rapper Tinie Tempah leads the shortlist for this year's Brit Awards, with nominations in four categories.

The London artist, 22, has been shortlisted for British Male Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act, British Single for ‘Pass Out' and British album of the Year for ‘Disc-Overy'.

He said: “I'm over the moon, the Brits are something I've dreamt of forever.

“Last year I was watching it thinking ‘one day…imagine if I could get one', so to be nominated for one is crazy.”

Other nominations for best male include Plan B and Paul Weller.

Cheryl Cole also features strongly in the line-up with two nominations; British Female Solo Artist and British Single for ‘Parachute'.

She is up against artists like Ellie Goulding and Paloma Faith for the Best Female gong.

Meanwhile Take That, scheduled to perform as a fivesome at the ceremony on February 15, were shortlisted for British Group and British Album for ‘Progress'.

Essex singer Jessie J has already been awarded the Critics' Choice award.

I was that girl that went to The Brit School – I've been doing this for 6 years, I've written songs, done seven tours and been working so hard and now I can say dreams do come true.”

Comedian James Corden will front the event, following a successful stint as a co-host in 2009 with fellow Gavin and Stacey star Matthew Horne and Kylie Minogue.

He said he was ‘honoured' to be asked back.

The awards have been going for over 30 years and this year they are shaking things up.

The venue has been changed to London's o2 arena, the voting panel has changed, and the lifetime achievement award has been ditched.

Dame Vivienne Westwood has also redesigned the iconic Brit statuettes given to all winners, one of the biggest overhauls to the ceremony since it began.

For the first time artists themselves are being given a say in who wins what and the ceremony itself is being modelled on the Oscars.

Organisers hope the changes will make the Brits more credible as well as more watchable for the audience.

Source: Skynews