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Brits go pop with nominations
15/01/2008 11:01 - (SA)
London - The Brits went pop on
Monday with Lebanese singer Mika, boy band Take That and reality
TV star Leona Lewis taking the lead when nominations were
announced for an industry struggling to adapt to the digital
age.
Each boasted four nominations when the shortlist was chosen
for the industry's annual showcase, overshadowed by reports that
record label EMI could slash up to one third of its staff.
Take That, back on the comeback trail with a vengeance, hope
to be crowned Best British Group and Best Live Act, where they
are pitted against The Arctic Monkeys.
Leona, winner of the X-Factor reality TV show, hopes to land
the Best British Female title after releasing the
fastest-selling British debut album of all time. It sold 375 000
copies in its first week
She will perform live at the Brits award ceremony on February 20.
Troubled singer Amy Winehouse, who has made more headlines
for her drug woes than she has for her music, is in the running
for Best British Single with a cover version of the Zutons'
Valerie.
Australia's Kylie Minogue, back in the pop frontline after
recovering from breast cancer, is bidding for Best International
Female and Best International Album. She will also perform live
on the big night.
'The game has changed completely'
Former Beatle Paul McCartney is to be garlanded with an
Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.
In the world's second biggest record market after the United
States and Japan, online downloads more than doubled at the end
of 2007.
But album sales have fallen by almost 11% to 138.1
million albums in an industry hit by illegal piracy and
superstars like Radiohead and Prince offering giveaways.
"Talentwise, the industry is fine," said Gareth Grundy,
deputy editor of Q Magazine. "But making money out of it -
people still haven't got a clue how to do that. The game has
changed completely and there don't seem to be any rules."
Martin Talbot, managing director of the official UK Charts
company, agreed: "These are tough times for the business."
"But the biggest positive of all is that the biggest-selling
albums and singles were dominated by UK acts. Seven of the top
10 albums are Brits," he told Reuters.
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South Africa
