April 24, 2008 7:00

Santogold named Best Breakthrough Artist at NME Awards USA

Singer is tipped for bright future at Los Angeles ceremony

Santogold has won the Best Breakthrough Artist award at the NME Awards USA in Los Angeles tonight (April 23).

The Philadelphia singer couldn't pick up the prize, voted for by NME's editors, at the El Ray Theatre due to the sudden death of a friend.

Though the award was not given out on the night, NME declared she is "a great, innovative singer-songwriter" and wished her well at this difficult time.

With the British NME Awards already a key event on the global music scene, this year marks the launch of the NME Awards in north America.

For more on the NME Awards usa, including the 2008 winners list, go to NME.COM/awardsusa.

Meanwhile to watch a live stream from the ceremony head to NME's Myspace page at Myspace.com/nmemagazine.