Sam Smith is the recipient of the Brits Critics’ Choice Award for 2014.
Smith was picked for the award by a panel of industry types ahead of fellow nominees Ella Eyre and Chlöe Howl. The accolade comes as the 21-year-old prepares to release his debut album at some point in the spring, this after singles chart success with Disclosure and Naughty Boy this year.
Last year’s winner Tom Odell will hand on his prize to Smith during an ITV broadcast on January 9th from 10.35pm, when the full list of nominees for the 2014 Brit Awards will also be announced.
Sam Smith is also included on both the BBC Sound Of… and MTV Brand New shortlists for next year. “Thank you MTV for including me in you Brand New for 2014,” Sam Smith said of the latter. “I grew up with MTV, so it is really exciting to be a part of this campaign.”