Brit Award nominees for 2012 critics' choice revealed

The shortlist for the critics' choice award at next year's Brit Awards have been announced.

Emeli Sande, Maverick Sabre and Michael Kiwanuka are all nominated in the category.

The award is given to an artist or group who music critics think will be the most successful act in the coming year.

Previous winners include Adele, Jessie J, Ellie Goulding and Florence and the Machine.

If Emeli Sande wins, it will be the fifth year in a row that the trophy has been awarded to a female artist.

The nominees are chosen by music industry experts including figures from radio, television and music magazines.

To qualify for the award, artists must be due to release their debut album in 2012.

The winner will be revealed on Thursday 15 December.

'Delighted'

Emeli Sande has already had chart success in the UK with solo singles Heaven and Daddy.

She topped the singles chart last month with Read All About It, a collaboration with Professor Green.

Her debut album, Our Version Of Events, is due to be released in February.

Maverick Sabre scored top 20 hits earlier this year with his singles Let Me Go and I Need.

The singer tweeted that he was "delighted" to be nominated for the award.

London soul singer Michael Kiwanuka has been compared to Otis Reading and Bill Withers and has previously supported Adele on tour.

He was also recently nominated for the BBC Sound of 2012 poll.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Blur will receive the outstanding contribution award at the ceremony.

The Brit Awards take place in London on 21 February.