Critically acclaimed artists FKA Twigs, Wild Beasts and Royal Blood have been nominated for Ivor Novello awards. Chart toppers including Sam Smith and Clean Bandit were also recognised for the prizes, which reward achievements in songwriting and composing.

FKA TwigsFKA Twigs is nominated for an Ivor Novello award

Sam Smith, Clean Bandit and George Ezra will be fighting it out for the PRS for Music Most Performed Work prize, while Clean Bandit also scooped a nomination for Best Contemporary Song for their monster hit Rather Be. Still, the Surrey-based outfit have strong competition in that category from FKA Twigs and the Mercury Music Prize winning group Alt-J.

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The Album Award will be one of the tightest contests with Wild Beasts, Royal Blood and Bombay Bicycle Club all battling it out for the prize.

Interestingly, Sam Smith is nominated for 'Stay With Me' - the subject of a recent plagiarism dispute with Tom Petty, who wrote the similar sounding 'I Won't Back Down' in 1989. According to both parties, the issue was solved "amicably" and it was agreed that Petty would receive a co-writer credit on the track. Still, as that credit is worth less than 15%, the rocker is not cited in the Ivor Novello nominations.

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"Congratulations to our very own Jack for his 2 nominations at this year's Ivor Novello awards!!" tweeted Clean Bandit.

"Guess whose album is up for an Ivor Novello award?" said Wild Beasts.

The ceremony takes place in London on May 21. 

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