Its that time of year again when the British music industry has its most illustrious night of the year. The Brit Awards are only 22 days away and counting. The Awards celebrate the crme de la crme of the music industry here in Britain. The Brits seem to catch the headlines every year with dazzling performances and sometimes controversial appearances such as when Jarvis Cocker, lead singer of the band Pulp, ran on stage and mooned Michael Jackson when he was in the middle of a somewhat frivolous musical performance.

This years nominations have been announced and new comers the Kaiser Chiefs and James Blunt are set to steal the show with an outstanding five nominations each. Coldplay are just behind the frontrunners with four nominations and KT Tunsall leads the ladies with three nominations under her belt. This year Paul Weller will claim the notorious Outstanding Contribution to music award.

Performing at the event are the critically acclaimed animated band, Gorillaz created by Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn (formerly of Blur). Other acts include the American chart-topper Kanye West who will be joining Coldplay, James Blunt, KT Tunstall, the Kaiser Chiefs and Kelly Clarkson with one very special guest still to be announced.

The first Brit Award ceremony took place in October 1977 at Wembley Conference Centre with Cliff Richard winning best British Male Artist and The Beatles winning the best British Group awards. Last years event marked 25 shows of the Brit Awards and had a timeless performance from the Scissor Sisters dressed in Jim Henson Muppet style costumes.

What many people dont know is that the Brit Awards is a charity event which makes money for the British Recording Industry Trust, established in 1989. Its aim is to give young people an opportunity to express their musical capability regardless of race, class or sex. The Brits school in Croydon, is funded by the Brits trust and has educated artists such as Katie Melua, Lynden David Hall and the band Another Level, to name a few.

This years Brit Awards will be shown a day after the actual performance on ITV 1 at 8pm on Thursday February 16th. Be sure not to miss them because judging from the line up you will regret it.