Emeli Sande knew she could pursue a music career after collaborating with Chipmunk.

The Scottish singer and songwriter collaborated with the rapper on his 2009 UK 10 hit ‘Diamond Rings’, writing the hook and singing the chorus, and its success gave her the confidence to believe in her abilities.

She said: “When the first song I did with naughty boy Chipmunk’s ‘Diamond Rings’, went to the top 10, that’s when it started and I thought I could really pursue music as a career.”

Emeli – who quit her medical degree during her fourth year in favour of singing – realised she had finally “done it” when her debut single ‘Heaven’ narrowly missed out on the number one spot in the UK, charting at number two in August.

She added: “When ‘Heaven’ went to number two in the summer, it was my first debut single, and it had done so well in the charts. I thought – this is it. I’ve done it.”

Emeli’s success looks set to continue into next year after was named winner of the prestigious BRIT Awards Critics’ Choice Award 2012 last week.

She said: “To win a BRIT Award so early in my career is beyond a dream come true. I am overwhelmed to be the recipient of such a prestigious award.”