Today sees the BBC Music Sound of 2017 revealed, comprising 15 new artists tipped for big things next year.
The list has been compiled after around 170 influential music industry experts, including DJs, critics, broadcasters and, for the first time, international pundits, voted for their top three acts to watch from any genre in 2017. The 15 selected acts will be whittled down to five in January, counting down one each day from Monday, January 2 with the BBC Music Sound Of 2017 winner announced on Friday, January 6 on Clara Amfo’s show.
Among those to have made the longlist are post-punk outfit Cabbage, who have played on 6 Music and BBC Introducing this year, and Ray BLK, who has performed in the 1Xtra live lounge. Electro pop act The Japanese House, singer-songwriter Declan McKenna and rapper Nadia Rose also feature on the list. You can see the full list below.
Numerous BBC Sound Of list winners has gone one to achieve major critical and commercial acclaim, with previous winners including Adele, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, Jessie J, Keane and Years & Years.
Chris Price, head of music, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, said: “The BBC Music Sound Of panel, always the broadest and most objective list of new music tastemakers assembled each year - which now includes international voices too - has delivered yet another exciting and diverse list of new and emerging talent to look out for next year. These are the names that will capture the imagination of music lovers the world over in 2017, and I'm delighted to say that every single one has already received significant support on Radio 1 and 1Xtra, both in evening and daytime shows. They join former winners - and now household names - such as Adele, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith and Years & Years, continuing Radio 1 and 1Xtra's commitment to discovering and breaking new talent on the global stage. Judging by the crop of talent on this year's long list, there's no shortage of future stars to choose from."
Bob Shennan, director of BBC Music and Radio, added: “The BBC’s commitment to developing new talent goes to the very heart of our public service purpose. BBC Music Sound Of, as well as BBC Introducing, are increasingly important ways that music lovers can make sure they are immediately across the musical superstars of the future."
MistaJam, BBC Radio DJ, commented: “The BBC Music Sound of 2017 longlist shows that next year is already shaping up to be a big one filled with amazing music from homegrown talent that are already being supported across Radio 1 and 1Xtra. From the driving rock of The Amazons to Dave's 18-year-old inner city street tales via Maggie Rogers' folk meets electronic soundscapes; the list shows the breadth and quality of what we can all expect next year.”
The list of 15 is as follows:
AJ Tracey
Anderson Paak
Cabbage
Dave
Declan McKenna
Jorja Smith
Maggie Rogers
Nadia Rose
Rag’n’Bone Man
Ray BLK
Raye
Stefflon Don
The Amazons
The Japanese House
Tom Grennan
