MASTERCARD BRITISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

The battle for Mastercard British Album of the Year - won by Adele with her third album ‘25’ last year - is always close to call. 2017 is no different with The 1975, David Bowie, Kano, Michael Kiwanuka and Skepta in contention for the hugely prized award.

This year’s nominees represent a brilliantly diverse array of artists and genres. Each of the five nominees were also in the shortlist for the 2016 Mercury Prize, an award that was ultimately won by Skepta for his fourth studio album ‘Konnichiwa’. 

Peaking at No. 2 in the UK Charts, and ranked the No. 1 Album of 2016 by Apple Music, ‘Konnichiwa’ is a strong contender. But will Skepta take home the top prize once again? This is one of three nominations for Skepta, who is also up for British Breakthrough Artist and British Male Solo Artist. 

David Bowie’s final studio album, ‘Blackstar,’ was released just two days before his death in January 2016. The album was met with critical acclaim and peaked at No. 1 in the UK album charts. This is the second category in which the Bowie receives a posthumous nomination this year, alongside British Male Solo Artist.

Also receiving nominations in both the Mastercard British Album of the Year and British Male categories this year are Kano and Michael Kiwanuka. Kano’s ‘Made In The Manor’ is his fifth studio record, while Kiwanuka is nominated for sophomore album ‘Love & Hate’.

The fifth nomination goes to another second album; The 1975’s ‘i like it when you sleep for you are beautiful yet so unaware of it’. Coming three years after their debut, this reached No. 1 in the UK Album charts after its release last February. This is The 1975’s second nomination this year, as they’re also in the running for British Group.

The BRIT Awards 2017 take place at The O2, London on 22 February and will be broadcast live on ITV. You can see all the nominations here.