The 26-year-old had previously graduated from the same institution in 2009 with an intercalated degree in neuroscience. But following her mammoth success over the past 18 months, the Aberdeenshire vocalist was invited back to receive a second honour.

Vice-Principal of the university, Professor John Briggs, said: "The University of Glasgow is very pleased to recognise Emeli Sandé’s huge contribution to music, both in the UK and around the world, by awarding her an honorary degree.”

Sande’s debut album, 'Our Version Of Events,' reached No.1 on its release in February 2012 and has since spent a further 62 weeks inside the UK Top 10. 

The Scottish singer and songwriter recorded a cover of Beyoncé's 'Crazy In Love' for the film's musical theme alongside the Bryan Ferry Orchestra.

Speaking to MTV, Sandé said that she hasn't yet crossed paths with Jay-Z's wife Beyoncé, but she added that her track was praised by the man himself. She said:

"I haven't met Beyoncé, but I met Jay-Z afterwards and he was digging it. So that's good."

The 'Next To Me' star added: "It was initially quite daunting, especially because Jay-Z is the executive producer. But [it's] a big honour to be involved, and it was really, really fun going to the premiere and seeing it all come together."

The album has been in the chart for an amazing 66 weeks now, but slipped from No.8 to No.15 yesterday (May 26) when the new positions were confirmed.

The record enjoyed 10 weeks at No.1 and according to the Official Charts Company, has shifted 1.88 million copies in the UK to date. 'Our Version Of Events' was also 2012's biggest selling album and it's currently 2013's best-selling offering.

Perhaps even more impressively, Sande beat a record previously held by The Beatles who spent 62 weeks inside the Top 10 with their album 'Please Please Me' back in 1963.

Sandé originally studied neuroscience before embarking on her music career, and sees joining both interests as a nautral progression. She said:

"One day, I can see myself doing music therapy. That would be a nice medium.''

The Ivor Novello Award winner also revealed that she is 'overwhelmed' by the support Elton John has given her, and that her musical idol is Nina Simone:

"The way she held the tone, caressed a lyric. (When I write), I imagine how she'd sing a lyric."

Sandé has written songs for Susan Boyle and Rihanna, and won two Ivors this week (May 16) for 'Next to Me'.

Watch Emeli Sandé perform 'Read All About It' with Professor Green on 'Later Live ... with Jools Holland' in 2011 below:

]]> Pressparty http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/EmeliSande/view/75920/ Thu, 16 May 2013 15:41:25 +0100 http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/EmeliSande/view/75920/ Emeli Sandé picked up two awards at this year's Ivor Novellos.

The ceremony took place today (May 16) in London as the British music industry paid tribute to songwriting.

The Scottish singer won the PRS For Music Most Performed Work gong for her hit track 'Next To Me', with her co-manager Greg Castell picking up the award on her behalf.

The 'Our Version of Events' lady also won the Best Song Musically and Lyrically award for the same song.

Other winners on the day included Calvin Harris, who collected the Songwriter of the Year award, and Alt-J, who won the Album Award.

Speaking about his win, Harris said: "This is easily the greatest achievement of my entire life."

The singer's debut album 'Our Version of Events' managed its 63rd consecutive week in the UK top ten recently - beating the 62 week stay of Beatles' 1963 effort 'Please Please Me'.

Speaking to Music Week, the Scottish star expressed her surprise at the landmark, saying:

"I'm so pleased. It's something I never expected to happen."

She continued: "The fact so many people connected to it and kept the album in the Top 10 is remarkable. To even be spoken of in the same sentence as The Beatles is thrilling. My ambition at the beginning was I really hoped I could get in the top five. To break this record is just beyond anything."

Virgin Records A&R director Glyn Aikins meanwhile also told Music Week that Sandé could release a follow-up album next year. He said:

"She's got to take some time to organise her thoughts and start writing songs for her next record. It may happen quickly. It may take some time, but I think she would want another album to come out perhaps next year. She's very diligent and has a very solid work ethic. She's very serious about what she does, which is a joy."

The Scottish singer and songwriter performed the song for the soundtrack of upcoming film The Great Gatsby.

Sandé's track features the Bryan Ferry Orchestra as she puts a jazzy twist on the 2003 song.

Other artists who performed on the Jay-Z curated soundtrack include Lana Del Rey and Gotye.

The Great Gatsby, which is directed by Baz Luhrmann and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, is due to be released in the UK on May 16.

Sandé’s 2012 album ‘Our Version Of Events’ has set a new record for the most consecutive weeks in the UK's Official Albums Chart Top 10 of any debut album.

Until now the record had previously been held by The Beatles and their 1963 debut ‘Please Please Me’ which stayed in the Top 10 for 62 weeks.

Released in February 2012, ‘Our Version Of Events’ has spent 63 weeks on the Official Chart and has yet to dip below the Top 10 mark.

26 year-old Sandé’s debut has sold 1.82 million copies in the UK. It has also earned the ‘Next To Me’ singer a number of awards including British Album Of The Year at The Brits and was named Best Album at the MOBO Awards.

Another accolade Sandé’s ‘Our Version Of Events’ could be honoured with is the Scottish Album Of The Year award. Her album was announced as a nominee for the prize earlier this week. 

m 

Watch Emeli Sandé picking up her Album Of The Year award at The Brits below:

]]> London Newsdesk http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/EmeliSande/view/74033/ Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:32:54 +0100 http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/EmeliSande/view/74033/ Emeli Sandé’s ‘Our Version Of Events’ and Calvin Harris’ ‘18 Months’ are both up to win the Scottish Album Of The Year Award.

The two Scottish chart toppers are amongst 20 nominees that were selected from more than 100 entries for the annual music prize.

Sandé’s debut album, ‘Our Version Of Events’, was the biggest selling album of 2012 and was named British Album Of The Year at the Brit Awards in February.

‘18 Months’ is the third album from DJ and producer Calvin Harris. His album features a number of high profile collaborators including Rihanna, Florence Welch and Ellie Goulding. Harris recently made popular music history by being the first artist to have an album spawn eight top ten singles.

Paul Buchanan's 'Mid-Air' has also been nominated. The album is the solo debut from the former Blue Nile frontman.

The Scottish Album Of The Year Award is in its second year of running. Winners of the prize are given £20,000. Last year Aidan Moffat and Bill Wells' album ‘Everything's Getting Older’ took home the trophy.

The winner of this year’s Scottish Album Of The Year will be announced on June 20. 

Watch Emeli Sandé perform live at the Royal Albert Hall below:

]]> London Newsdesk http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/EmeliSande/view/73871/ Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:15:17 +0100 http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/EmeliSande/view/73871/ Emeli Sandé has advised wannabe singers not to enter the X Factor.

The TV talent show attracts thousands of hopeful stars each year as the show's producers and judges attempt to find the next big thing.

However, Emeli Sandé told the Daily Star that she thinks shows like the X Factor stifle creativity - something which needs to be encouraged. She said:

"I find it quite depressing. I find it sad that four people are judging these people and really knocking their confidence. I don't think I would have considered appearing on the X Factor. I would have been able to sing but I don't like the fact that nobody creates on the show. Writing needs to be encouraged."

She added: "Finding an entry into the business isn't easy so I understand why people do it. You can tell when people want to be musicians or want to be famous. The kids who need music in their lives should just focus on their craft. I'd say don't be in a rush. The pressure they put on kids is for it to happen right now, but your talent will always be there."

Sandé meanwhile recently said that she doesn't enjoy watching beyond the audition stage of The Voice UK.

Speaking to Yahoo! OMG, Sande explained that it's not really how the music industry works and as an artist herself she doesn't feel as if she would have the right to dictate to a contestant if they're good enough to 'make it' or not:

"I enjoy looking at the talent that’s undiscovered and I enjoy watching the auditions – but after that, it always makes me a little bit sad. It’s a few people telling others whether they’re good or not. Their confidence can be really knocked – it always makes me feel sad."

"I don’t think The Voice is a natural representation of the music industry. I think it’s false authority. I know how to be an artist in my own right, and what I love doing is writing. I don’t think I’d ever have any right to tell anyone else whether they can make it or not. I don’t think I’d feel comfortable in that position."

Despite her feelings about the TV vocal talent show, she added that Jessie J has the right mindset and priorities as a judge: "She really is waving the female flag. She definitely keeps it focused on vocal ability – things that are important when you’re an artist."

Watch Sande's BRITs performance here:

The Scottish singer and songwriter enjoyed being thrust into the limelight in 2012 with the release of her debut album 'Our Version Of Events'.

The record became the UK's top selling record of the year and she performed at numerous high-profile events.

However, the talented musician told the Daily Star that she needs to keep grounded despite their success, as her music would alter as a result if she got carried away. Sande said:

"If I became distracted by the trappings of success, my music would suffer and change."

The 'Next To Me' star added: "It would become something that wasn't important any more, because you're just speaking about yourself. I don't want to do that, I want to create music that can speak for other people."

The Scottish songstress - who scooped Best British Female and the coveted Best British Album awards at this year's BRITs - was the target of the outspoken star.

Oasis star Gallagher blasted her music in a recent interview, ranting: "I think the BRITs has now reached a tipping point. Something needs to be done. It's a s**t thing for a middle-aged man to say - 'Well, it's not as good as it was in my day' - but, you know, I'm still switched on enough to think, 'It was better'.

He added: You look at the best now. Paloma Faith? Do me a favour. Who's f***ing decided she's a star? Emeli Sandé? That is f***ing music for grannies. I don't get it."

Sandé has now responded to Gallagher with a cheeky post on Twitter.

Accompanied by some text reading: "Thanks Noel", the singer posted a picture of an old woman holding up her middle finger (pictured above left).

One Direction were also on the receiving end of Gallagher's rant, with the songwriter claiming: "One Direction, prancing up and down singing a Blondie song and getting an award for it. Nice lads though they might be, f**k off. Which is exactly what we told them. It's turning into the grand finale of the X Factor, which is exactly what Simon Cowell wants."

The Scottish songstress is a non-mover at No. 1 after an impressive 55 weeks in the chart with her hugely successful debut offering.

Staying at No. 2 spot is Mumford & Sons with their hit album 'Babel', while Ben Howard's 'Every Kingdom' is also a non-mover at No. 4.

Atoms For Peace, which is the new experimental rock supergroup formed by members of Radiohead and Red Hot Chili Peppers, are at No. 5 with their debut record, 'Amok'.

Bruno Mars' 'Unorthodox Jukebox' has climbed two places to No. 6, while Michael Ball's 'Both Sides Now' has entered the UK Top 40 at No. 8.

Calvin Harris' '18 Months' has stayed in twelfth place, while Lana Del Rey's 'Born To Die' has dropped seven places to No. 38.

The 'Clown' singer has garnered international success with her album 'Our Version of Events' which became the best-selling album of 2012 in the UK, with over 1 million sales.

Sandé - who recently scooped two BRIT Awards - was handpicked by Sir Elton John to sing at his annual star-studded AIDS foundation party based in Los Angeles.

Sandé revealed to the Daily Star: “I was going to take time off after the tour but it looks like I will be investing a lot more time in America. Bono [from U2] and Elton have been giving me a lot of advice and encouragement."

Sandé is set to write alongside Jennifer Hudson.

She added to the publication: “We met recently and talked about working together. She’s incredibly talented.”