Emeli Sande, Maverick Sabre and Michael Kiwanuka on BRITs Critics’ Choice Award shortlist

The countdown to the most exciting music awards ceremony in Britain continues today with the announcement of the three artists shortlisted for the prestigious BRITs Critics' Choice Award in association with War Child.

This year's shortlisted nominees are Emeli Sande, Maverick Sabre and Michael Kiwanuka. 

The winner will be announced, alongside second and third place, next week on Thursday 15th December.

The Critics' Choice Award is for new British acts that the critics tip for mainstream success in the forthcoming year. In previous years it has been awarded to Jessie J (2011) Ellie Goulding (2010), Florence and the Machine (2009) and Adele (2008). The artists are chosen by a team of experts including the music editors of national newspapers, key music and lifestyle magazines and music websites plus the heads of music at major radio and music TV stations. The Award is open to artists signed to a label who are set to release their debut albums in 2012 and over 100 artists from a range of genres were considered for the award. Upon today's announcement of the shortlist, the three nominated artists were immediately inducted into the BRITs Voting Academy and are now eligible themselves to vote for The BRIT Awards 2012, following last year's inclusion of artists in the academy for the first time.

For the third year running, the Critics' Choice Award will also be presented in association with War Child, an international charity that protects children living in the world's most dangerous war zones.

The BRIT Awards' involvement with War Child complements a long standing association with the Awards' own BRIT Trust charity. The Awards have raised more than £13m for the Trust, whose main beneficiaries are the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology - http://www.brit.croydon.sch.uk - the only free performing arts school in the UK, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy - http://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk - and other selected charities which match the mission criteria.

http://www.brits.co.uk