BRIT Awards 2012: Nominees

1. Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran could be the runaway star of this year's BRITs after scoring the most nominations of the night. The 'Lego House' singer is up for four awards including British Male Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act, British Single for his first release 'The A Team' and the Mastercard British Album of The Year for debut record '+'.

2. Professor Green

Professor Green is up for British Male Solo Artist against fellow Jingle Bell Ball performers Ed Sheeran and James Morrison as well as James Blake and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. The 'At Your Inconvenience' rapper scored his first number one on the Vodafone Big Top 40 in 2011 with his single 'Read All About It'.

3. Adele

Adele scored three BRIT Awards nominations after a hugely successful twelve months that saw the release of her second album '21'. The 'Rolling In The Deep' singer is up for British Female Solo Artist, Mastercard British Album Of The Year for '21' and British Single for her Big Top 40 number one 'Someone Like You'

4. Jessie J

Jessie J's first year in the music industry saw the 23 year-old singer release her debut album 'Who You Are' and a string of successful singles, earning her three BRIT Awards nominations in the process. Jessie is up for British Single for her B.o.B collaboration 'Price Tag', British Breakthrough Act and British Female Solo Artist against the likes of Adele and Florence and the Machine.

5. Coldplay

Coldplay's fifth album 'Mylo Xyloto' has landed the indie band a BRIT Awards 2012 nomination for Mastercard British Album Of The Year. The group, who scored their first Big Top 40 number one in 2011 with 'Paradise', are also up for British Group against bands like Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian.

6. Emeli Sande

BRITs 2012 Critics Choice Award winner Emeli Sande looks set to follow in the footsteps of previous recipients like Adele and Jessie J this year with the release of her debut album 'Our Version Of Events'. The 'Heaven' singer also picked up a nod for British Breakthrough Act ahead of the official BRIT Awards ceremony in February.

7. Example

Example returned to the charts in summer 2011 with his latest album 'Playing In The Shadows'. The rapper also scored a Big Top 40 number one single with 'Changed The Way You Kissed Me', which has now been nominated for this year's BRIT Awards against artists like Ed Sheeran and Olly Murs.

8. JLS

JLS are gearing up to head out on tour in March to promote their third album 'Jukebox' but will be celebrating early after their Big Top 40 number one single 'She Makes Me Wanna', featuring rapper Dev, was nominated for Best British Single at this year's BRITs.

9. Olly Murs

Olly Murs gave listeners one of the biggest songs of the summer last year with the release of his Rizzle Kicks collaboration 'Heart Skips A Beat'. The 'Dance With Me Tonight' singer now has another reason to celebrate as the song is up for British Single at the BRIT Awards 2012 in February.

10. One Direction

One Direction proved you don't need to win The X Factor to become successful when they arrived in September with debut single 'What Makes You Beautiful'. The track shot straight to number one on the Big Top 40 and has now also been nominated for a BRIT Award in the British Single category.

11. Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars has been teasing plans to release the follow-up to debut album 'Doo-Wops & Hooligans' sometime in 2012 but first he's got a chance to walk away with International Male Solo Artist at the BRIT Awards ceremony in February.

12. Rihanna

Rihanna has had a busy past twelve months having released two albums, toured across the world as well as headlining the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball in December. The 'We Found Love' singer's hard work has now paid off because RiRi is up for 'International Female Solo Artist' at the BRITs 2012.

13. Maroon 5

Maroon 5 returned in summer 2011 with one of the year's biggest tracks 'Moves Like Jagger'. Teaming up with Adam Levine's fellow The Voice voach Christina Aguilera, the band scored a Big Top 40 number one and have been nominated for International Group at next month's ceremony.

14. Kanye West

Kanye West and Jay-Z released one of the most exciting rap albums in years in 2011 with the launch of their joint record 'Watch The Throne. The supergroup has now been nominated for an award at the BRIT Awards 2012 where they are up for International Group.

15. Beyonce

Beyonce may be busy celebrating the birth of her first child Blue Ivy with husband Jay-Z but the 'Love On Top' singer will have more cause to celebrate this week after being nominated for International Female Solo Artist at the BRIT Awards 2012 launch party.

16. Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has also been nominated for a BRIT Award for International Female Solo Artist after a year that saw the 'Marry The Night' singer release her second album 'Born This Way' as well as concluding her mammoth 'Monster Ball' world tour.

17. Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj made a big impact in 2011 with debut album 'Pink Friday' as well as huge singles like 'Super Bass' and 'Fly' featuring Rihanna. The rapper is up for International Breakthrough Act at the BRIT Awards 2012 in February.