BRITs Critics' Choice 2018 nominees revealed as Mabel, Jorja Smith and Stefflon Don

The BRIT Awards have announced the nominees for their 2018 Critics' Choice Prize as Mabel, Jorja Smith and Stefflon Don.

The three acts have all been tipped for success in the coming year, as voted for by a panel of music industry experts and critics. It is the first time that three women have been announced as the shortlisted nominees. 

Before we find out the winner in the category on Monday December 4, let's take a closer look at the brilliant talent recognised for 2018 stardom.

Mabel

Mabel is no stranger to the Official Chart. The 21-year-old's breakthrough single Finders Keepers ft. Kojo Funds reached Number 8 on the Official Singles Chart in October. She also dropped her latest mixtape Ivy To Roses earlier in the year.

Music is in Mabel's blood too. Her mother is the Swedish singer Neneh Cherry, record producer Cameron McVey is her father, and her grandfather is American jazz legend Don Cherry. She even has a musical half-brother, Marlon Roudette.

“Being nominated for the Critics Choice award really is a dream come true for me," she said. "So much hard work has gone into getting to this point, so to be acknowledged by something like the BRIT Awards means the world.”

Jorja Smith

Jorja has made quite the name for herself, despite not being singed to a major label.

The 20-year-old has received support from BBC Radio 1, who have played her singles On My Mind and Teenage Fantasy. Music fans may be aware of her Project 11 EP, but most people will know her from her inclusion of Drake's mixtape album More Life. Jorja sings on the Top 40 single Get It Together, and Jorja Interlude.

She said of being nominated: "It's an honour to be recognised amongst such incredible emerging talent. 2017 was a very special year and there's so much more to come from me in 2018!”

Stefflon Don

The highest charting of the shortlisted acts, Stefflon Don has two Top 40 hits under her belt; Instruction, a Jax Jones track she features on alongside Demi Lovato, and her first official lead single Hurtin Me', the Number 7 hit featuring French Montana.

Stefflon's latest single Ding-A-Ling is out now, and features Skepta. Bonus fact: the 25-year-old has six siblings, so will certainly be used to fierce competition! 

“I am so excited to be nominated for this amazing award. A big shout out to all my fans and dons for their support. 2017 has been lit and I can’t wait for 2018! Mad love to you all."

For the eventual winner named BRITs Critics' Choice 2018 on December 4, and the two other girls in the running, success is more or less guaranteed to be on the horizon. Last year's nominated acts for the trophy all went on to dominate music in 2017.

Rag'n'Bone Man scored the fastest-selling debut album by a male this decade, Dua Lipa scored the first solo female Number 1 single in nearly two years with New Rules, and Anne-Marie's uncredited vocals feature on Clean Bandit's 2016's Christmas Number 1 Rockabye. 

All but two of the BRITs Critics' Choice winners have gone on to have a Number 1 album on the Official Albums Chart. Past Critics' Choice winners include Adele, Emeli Sande and Sam Smith, and a full list of previous winners can be seen below. Between them, the winners have amassed album sales of 25 million in the UK. See how they compare here.

2008 - Adele
2009 - Florence + The Machine
2010 - Ellie Goulding
2011 - Jessie J
2012 - Emeli Sandé
2013 - Tom Odell
2014 - Sam Smith
2015 - James Bay
2016 - Jack Garratt
2017 - Rag'n'Bone Man

The BRIT Awards 2018 with Mastercard will be broadcast live on ITV on Wednesday, February 21 at London’s O2 Arena.

Look back at these iconic BRIT Awards moments below: