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Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran up for BBC Music award


Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran will go head-to-head at the BBC Music Awards.

The two singers have been nominated for the British Artist of the Year prize at the inaugural ceremony, but face competition from music legend David Bowie, modern soul group Jungle, ‘One Day Like This’ hitmakers Elbow and rock duo Royal Blood.

Meanwhile the nominees for the Best International Artist award have also been revealed.

Country legend Dolly Parton and ‘Shake It Off’ star Taylor Swift are up for the honour alongside ‘Royals’ hitmaker Lorde, ‘Happy’ singer Pharrell Williams, ‘Purple Rain’ icon Prince and jazz musician Gregory Porter.

The shortlists were selected from a list of the 50 most played artists of the year on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, 1Xtra and BBC Radio 6 from the period of 1st December 2013 to 24th October 2014.

Bob Shennan, director of BBC Music, said: "The BBC Music Awards exist to celebrate the past 12 months in music.

"The shortlists feature an amazing range of hugely talented artists. Each and every one has made a unique mark on the music industry.

"They have experienced phenomenal success and it’s wonderful to see new acts featuring alongside some of the biggest names in the business."

The winners will chosen by a BBC Music panel as well as leading music journalists and announced at the awards show at London’s Earls Court on December 11.

The ceremony will feature performances from the likes of One Direction, Coldplay, Take That, Paloma Faith, Calvin Harris and Catfish and the Bottlemen, while there are also expected to be some surprise collaborations.

The show will broadcast in the UK across BBC One, Radio 1, Radio 2 and online.



BBC Music Awards 2014 limited nominations:

British Artist of the Year:

David Bowie

Ed Sheeran

Elbow

Jungle

Royal Blood

Sam Smith



International Artist of the Year:

Dolly Parton

Gregory Porter

Lorde

Pharrell

Prince

Taylor Swift