Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran

Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran will go up against David Bowie, Jungle, Elbow and Royal Blood in the battle for this year's BBC Music Awards' British Artist of the Year prize.

Meanwhile, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Lorde, Prince, Pharrell Williams and Gregory Porter are all nominated for the Best International Artist gong.

Shortlists were selected from a list of the 50 most-played artists of the year across BBC Radio stations from the period of December 1 2013, to October 24 2014.

Director of BBC Music Bob Shennan 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."

Winners are to be chosen by a BBC Music panel as well as leading music journalists and will be announced at London's Earls Court at the ceremony on December 11.

Performances will come from the likes of Paloma Faith and Calvin Harris, with some surprise collaborations also promised.

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


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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