2012 nominees: British Female Solo Artist

What a year it has been for British pop ladies. This year's nominations for British Female Solo Artist feature some of the biggest names in music, worldwide. Girl power indeed.

The nominees for British Female Solo Artist are:

Adele
Florence & The Machine
Jessie J
Kate Bush
Laura Marling

Turned on the radio in the past 12 months? Then Adele needs no introduction. If you've not shed a tear to her astronomical hit 'Someone Like You', then maybe you should question your humanity. Adele tops her phenomenal year with a British Female Solo Artist nomination, four years after scooping the first Critics' Choice Award.

Florence & The Machine made a triumphant return to pop in 2011 with her second album, Ceremonials, making all the talk about 'difficult second albums' seem like hot air and piffle. Florence Welch pulled off a comeback with ease, releasing a No.1 album and scoring a massive hit single with 'Shake It Out'.

This time last year, Jessie J was named our Critics' Choice. Twelve months later, she's one of the biggest popstars in the UK and is back at the BRITs in 2012, nominated for British Female. Jessie scored hit after hit in 2011 in the UK and overseas, and has become a bonafide pop sensation.

Roll out the red carpet, we have pop royalty on the noms list. The usually reclusive Kate Bush released not one, but two albums, in 2011 and reminded us all that she remains one of the biggest British artists some 34 years after releasing her debut album. Both Director's Cut and 50 Words For Snow were top ten records and this is her eighth nomination as British Female - winning once previously in 1987.

The 2011 winner of British Female is back for more as Laura Marling picks up a nomination for a second year running. This time around she gains a nod for her phenomenal third album, A Creature I Don't Know, which scored her a Top Ten record in September 2011. Will she repeat her 2011 success?