2012 nominees: British Male Solo Artist

2012 nominees: British Male Solo Artist This year's nominees for British Male Solo Artist at the BRIT Awards 2012 with MastercCard is a mixed bunch, honouring legendary rockers and emerging talent, with five of the best male musicians in the UK in the running for the award.

The nominees for British Male Solo Artist are:

Ed Sheeran
James Blake
James Morrison
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Professor Green

Ed Sheeran has had an incredible 12 months, rising to become one of the UK's brightest young artists with his wonderful blend of hip-hop and acoustic pop. He scored three massive hits in 2011 with single 'The A-Team', 'You Need Me, I Don't Need You' and 'Lego House'.

James Blake released one of 2011's most unique and interesting albums with his experimental, self-titled debut, which scored him a Top Ten record. A softer side of dubstep, he also scored success with singles 'Limit To Your Love' and 'The Wilhelm Scream'. He was a runner up in the 2011 Critics' Choice award and we are proud to name him as a contender for the British Male award in 2012.

No stranger to BRITs success, James Morrison previously scooped the British Male award in 2007 and was nominated for the award again in 2009. In 2011 this soul star reclaimed his place as one of the UK's biggest talents as he returned to the charts with his single 'I Won't Let You Go' and No.1 album, The Awakeninng.

Noel Gallagher needs no introduction. The mastermind behind one of the UK's biggest rock bands of all time, Oasis, 2011 saw the singer/songwriter strike out on his own with new project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Noel scored a No.1 album with his self titled debut album.

Urban star Professor Green stepped up as one of the UK's leading rap stars in 2011 as he topped the charts with comeback track, 'Read All About It', a duet with our Critics' Choice winner, Emeli Sandé. Green scored a Top Ten album with his second release and has proven that not all the best hip-hop comes from the US.