2012 nominees: International Breakthrough

This year's International Breakthrough nominees are yet again a wildly diverse selection of new talent. This is going to be one hotly contested category...

The nominees for International Breakthrough are:

Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Foster The People
Lana Del Rey
Nicki Minaj

A virtual unknown before 2011, Aloe Blacc hit the mainstream with his poverty anthem 'I Need A Dollar' providing one of last summer's definitive feel-good hits. His second album Good Things was a smash worldwide and promises a bright future for this soulful new star.

Bon Iver made his debut in 2008 with his debut album For Emma, Forever Ago but emerged to mainstream success and acclaim over the past twelve months. His second, self-titled release was a worldwide hit and music fans the world over paused for thought over Justin Vernon's melodic mix of folk and rock.

The band who brought whistling back to the airwaves, Foster The People provided one of 2011's most inescapable radio hits, 'Pumped Up Kicks'.

One of the most talked about new artists of 2012, Lana Del Rey captured hearts, minds and radio playlists with her wistful debut single 'Video Games' at the end of 2011. 'The ghetto Nancy Sinatra', this US singer songwriter mixes a sense of epic, gothic pop with urban beats and her debut album is one of this year's most eagerly awaited releases.

Already one of the most successful female hip-hop artists of all time, Nicki Minaj is one of pop music's brightest characters, known as well for her ever changing hair and outfits as she is her distinct brand of radio-friendly rap. After a string of urban hits, this US star scored a mega-hit with her single 'Superbass'.