Fresh from his clean sweep at this year’s Grammys, Sam Smith has scooped the prize for British breakthrough act at the Brit awards 2015.
Taking place at London’s O2 Arena on 25 February, his challengers in this category were Scottish synth-pop trio Chvrches, XL signee FKA Twigs, chart-topping singer-songwriter George Ezra and rock duo Royal Blood.
Smith’s career has been primed for success since 2013: picking up the critics’ choice award at the 2013 Brits and topping the BBC’s Sound of 2014 poll, he released debut In the Lonely Hour to huge success, peaking at No 1 in Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and the UK.
As well as recently headlining Madison Square Garden, his debut was only one of two albums to surpass the 1m mark in the UK, and has remained in the top 5 on rotation since its release back in May 2014.
“It’s weird. Something you want so badly all your life actually happens. And then you think, ‘Oh shit,’” Smith recently told the Observer, recalling a specific moment of panic, last spring when he was promoting In the Lonely Hour. “I’ve spent as much energy this past year trying not to go mental as I have plugging my record. You have to. It’s like your body’s trying to float away. And you’re hanging on for dear life.”
Born in Hertfordshire, Smith’s big break came as a guest vocalist on Disclosure’s Latch. The track spent 15 weeks in the top 40, before he featured on Naughty Boy’s hit, La La La, which subsequently reached No 1 on the official singles chart.
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