JAKE Bugg has picked up his first major award nomination.
The 18-year-old musician from Clifton will go up against Rita Ora, Jessie Ware, Ben Howard and Mercury Prize winners Alt-J in the British Breakthrough Artist category at the Brit Awards.
Jake, who topped the UK albums chart in October with his self-titled debut, will find out if he's won on February 20 at the Brit Awards 2013 ceremony at the O2 Arena in London, which will be hosted by James Corden.
Jake was unable to comment on the nomination last night as he was just about to go on stage at the Eurosonic Noorderslag Festival, in Holland, when the Post contacted him.
His mum, Leeysa Kennedy, said: "Jake's nomination for Best Breakthrough Artist at the Brit Awards has made me and his whole family so proud! It's a fantastic start to what we all hope will be another amazing year for Jake!
"Winning this award will mean so much to Jake and I know he would like to win the award for his home town of Nottingham, too.
"He's really grateful for all the support Nottingham continues to give him.
"Jake is up against some strong competition but I've got my fingers crossed for him.
"He's worked really hard and I would love to see him go on to win it."
The nominations were announced last night at the Savoy Hotel, in London.
Other award nominees include Rihanna, Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and Adele.
One Direction, Robbie Williams, Mumford and Sons and Emeli Sande, who picked up the most nominations with four, will all be performing at the ceremony.
The statuettes have this year been designed by Damien Hirst.
He said: "I am honoured. It has become such an iconic award. I love the Brits."
The last Brit Award nomination for a Notts artist was in 1994, when indie dance act Stereo MCs, featuring Ruddington duo Rob Birch and Nick Hallam, picked up three. They went on to win Best Group and Best Album for Connected.
BBC News online included Natalie Duncan in a list of Alternative Brit Award nominations.
The soul/jazz singer, who grew up in Lady Bay and The Meadows, wasn't eligible for the Brits as her debut album, Devil In Me, failed to reach the UK Top 40, although the Sunday Times described it as "one of the greatest debut albums of the year".
Jake Bugg will be back in Nottingham at Rock City for a sell-out gig on February 15.
British Breakthrough Act on MUZU.TV.
