So well done us. Well, I say 'us', I really mean well done 'you'. Well, I say 'you', I'm really talking to those CMU Daily readers who sign, produce, promote or champion new UK talent. But that's most of 'you', surely. Most of 'us' in fact.
Anyway, ahead of tonight's Brits back-slapping bash, the BPI have confirmed that the UK recording industry is in good shape, with native artists securing the highest share of UK album sales since 1998.
Native acts accounted for 49.4% of all artist album sales in the UK in 2005, a 7% increase on 2004 figures. At 62.4 million units, this represents the greatest number of albums ever sold by UK musicians in a single year. Six of the year's Top 10 albums were by UK acts, double the number in 2004, and there were 14 UK debut acts in the top 100 - including albums from Kaiser Chiefs, The Magic Numbers, Bloc Party and G4.
Commenting on the figures, BPI chairman Peter Jamieson told reporters: "We are privileged to be living through an exciting time for UK music. From Kaiser Chiefs to KT Tunstall, from Gorillaz to James Blunt, British music is succeeding across the board and UK music fans are responding in their droves. It all means that tomorrow's BRIT Awards show is shaping up to be one of the best yet."