London/Wexford singer Maverick Sabre has been shortlisted for the critics' choice gong at this year's Brit Awards.
Sabre, whose real name is Michael Stafford, was born in Hackney but raised in New Ross.
He is nominated for the prestigious award alongside two other up-and-coming acts, Emeli Sandre and Michael Kiwanuka.
The winner will be announced next Thursday, with the awards taking place on February 12 at the O2 Arena in south east London.
Jessie J won the award last year, while Florence and the Machine and Ellie Goulding are among other recent winners.
Sabre started out his career as a rapper, before developing a retro-soul sound.
Sande has written songs for acts including Susan Boyle and Tinie Tempah, and her debut solo single Heaven entered the UK charts at number two.
Soul singer Kiwanuka supported Adele on her UK and Europe tour this year.
