Emeli Sande
British Female Solo Artist | British Single | British Album Of The Year
‘I want to win the Best Album …that’s the BIG one’
By LIA NICHOLLS
EMELI SANDE was virtually unknown at last year’s Brits when she was named Critics’ Choice.
Since then, she has sung to hundreds of millions of people at the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, and was the biggest-selling artist of 2012 — overtaking ADELE.
And so the Scottish singer returns to the bash this year as one of the highest nominees of the night — along with ALT-J and MUMFORD & SONS — with nods for Best Album for debut Our Version Of Events, Best Female and Best Song.
Emeli didn’t get the chance to make a speech last year due to timing issues.
But rather than conceding to an Adele-style two-fingered salute, Emeli has waited until now to vent her frustration.
She said: “It wasn’t the best of experiences last year. It was exciting to win an award, but I didn’t get to go up and do a speech.
“If I did win one this time, I’d like to do it properly, although I haven’t planned what I’m going to say because I don’t want to jinx it.
“I didn’t even have an album out last year or the chance to prove myself, so getting to go back this year and getting that acknowledgement means a lot.”
Emeli has earned herself an army of fans over the past year — but with supporters come critics too, who say she’s been far too over-exposed.
“I feel like it’s a bit unfair,” she said. “I actually haven’t done that much, but it’s just what I have done have been huge events.
“If I was at the Mobos, it was because I was nominated, or if I performed at something, it’s because I was asked. It’s not like I was forcing myself on anyone.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I worked so hard to get any exposure at all, so I don’t see that as a negative.”
She continued: “People who were critical of that weren’t there when you’re working your a*** off trying to get a record, and when you’re trying to get someone to listen. They don’t know how that feels.
“So I take it as a positive. It’s all about getting your music out there, and who knows, I might not get that kind of exposure next year, or ever. I’m happy.”
With that out of the way, Emeli reverts to being excited about tomorrow’s bash.
If she could win one, she’d love it to be Best Album.
“That’s why you do it and that’s why you put yourself out there,” she said. “It’s a very big category though. I’m up against some heavyweights.”
She’d also be pretty chuffed with Best Female. And if she loses out, she can’t decide who she’d like to see take it.
She said: “They’re all really cool women. I love AMY WINEHOUSE as she was a big inspiration to me. PALOMA FAITH is so cool. It’s too hard to pick one.”
Emeli’s favourite Brits moment was when FLORENCE WELCH and DIZZEE RASCAL duetted on You Got The Dirtee Love in 2010.
Emeli added: “That was a real testament to Britain and how we put things together.
“There are no rules on Brits night and I really love seeing that.”
Source: The Sun
