Tinie Tempah poses before the nominations for the Brit Awards 2011 at the O2 Arena in London January 13, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

British rapper Tinie Tempah led the field on Thursday at the BRIT awards with four nominations, just ahead of singer-songwriter Plan B, folk rock act Mumford & Sons and London's The XX, who each had three nods.

In a turnaround from 2010's female-dominated nominations, male acts were in the ascendancy for 2011 as the buildup began to the biggest night of the year for British pop music.

The winners are announced at the O2 Arena in London on February 15 at a ceremony where Tempah will perform alongside Rihanna, Take That and Plan B.

Joining the relatively fresh-faced front-runners is Robert Plant, former Led Zeppelin lead singer who has forged a successful solo career. At age 62, Plant grabbed his first BRIT nomination in the category of best British male solo artist.

Those with two nominations apiece are Arcade Fire, Kings of Leon, Ellie Goulding, Cheryl Cole, Katy Perry, Cee Lo Green, Take That, Rumer and Eminem.

Tempah, 22, is nominated for British male solo artist, British breakthrough act, British single for "Pass Out" and the coveted Mastercard British album of the year with "Disc-Overy."

In the latter category, Tempah is up against Mumford & Sons ("Sigh No More"), Plan B ("The Defamation of Strickland Banks"), Take That ("Progress") and The XX ("XX").

Jessie J has already been announced as the winner of the Critics' Choice award identifying up-and-coming talent, and comedian James Corden was named on Thursday as the host of this year's ceremony.

Industry insiders said the inclusion of artists on the BRITs Voting Academy was one reason behind the prominence this year of relatively new artists over more established acts.

Other changes in 2011 include a move to the O2 Arena, BRIT statues styled by Vivienne Westwood and a re-formatted show that climaxes with the announcement of the winner of the British Album of the Year.