Rappers break through to dominate Brits shortlist

Rappers look likely to dominate this year's Brit awards with four nominations each for Ms Dynamite and Mike Skinner of the Streets.

Skinner will face stiff competition in the category of British male solo artist. He is running against Badly Drawn Boy, Craig David, David Gray and Robbie Williams, who has won the title three times in four years. Ms Dynamite's rivals for best female solo artist are Sophie Ellis Bextor, Beverley Knight, Beth Orton and Alison Moyet who, in a remarkable return, is nominated 18 years after she first won the award in 1985.

After last year's Brits were criticised for making safe choices, this year's awards pit newcomers such as Pink and Roots Manuva against est-ablished acts, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eminem and Moby.

In an apparent vindication of television talent shows, Will Young and Gareth Gates, who launched their careers after appearing on ITV's Pop Idol, each receive three nominations, including best pop act.

The pop/soul trio Suga-babes are in the running for three awards including best British album, for Angels With Dirty Faces. Their rivals for that title are Coldplay, with A Rush Of Blood To The Head, Ms Dynamite with A Little Deeper, which won the Mercury Music Prize, the Coral for their eponymously titled album and the Streets with Original Pirate Material.

Sugababes and Coldplay are also nominated for best British group, alongside Blue, Doves and Oasis.

Coldplay are among the acts playing at the awards ceremony at Earls Court, London, on 20 February, which will be broadcast live on ITV1. Tom Jones will be honoured for making an outstanding contribution to music.

In the international categories, three former winners, Beck, Eminem and Bruce Springsteen, will battle it out alongside Moby and Nelly. But none of the five nominees for the international female trophy has walked away with the title before. They are Missy Elliott, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne and Pink.

The main nominations

British male solo artist

Badly Drawn Boy, Craig David, David Gray, The Streets, Robbie Williams

British female solo artist

Sophie Ellis Bextor, Ms Dynamite, Beverley Knight, Alison Moyet, Beth Orton

British album

Coldplay: A Rush Of Blood To The Head, Ms Dynamite: A Little Deeper, The Streets: Original Pirate Material, The Coral: The Coral, Sugababes: Angels with Dirty Faces

British group

Blue, Coldplay, Doves, Sugababes, Oasis

British Single

Atomic Kitten: 'The Tide Is High (Get The Feeling)', Gareth Gates: 'Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake)', Gareth Gates: 'Unchained Melody', Liberty X: 'Just A, Will Young: 'Anything Is Possible'/ 'Evergreen'

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British breakthrough artist

Liberty X, Ms Dynamite, The Coral, The Streets, Will Young

International album

Eminem, The Eminem Show , Norah Jones, Come Away With Me, Alicia Keys, Songs In, Pink, Missundaztood, Red Hot Chili Peppers, By The Way

Outstanding contribution

Tom Jones