Sound of... is an annual
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
poll of music critics and industry figures to find the most promising new music talent. It was first conducted by the
BBC News website in 2003, and is now widely covered by the corporation's online, radio and TV outlets, as well as other media. A 10-strong longlist is published each December, with a ranked shortlist and annual winner announced the following January.
Winners
2000s
2010s
2020s
Notes
Sound of 2009
More than 130 critics, editors and broadcasters took part in the Sound of 2009 survey, which was won by electro-pop singer
Little Boots
Victoria Christina Hesketh (born 4 May 1984), known professionally as Little Boots, is an English singer-songwriter and DJ. She was previously a member of the band Dead Disco. Since performing as a solo artist, she has released four albums: ''H ...
. For the first time, a longlist of 15 acts from the 2009 poll was published by the BBC on 5 December 2008. The other five acts on the longlist were
Frankmusik,
Master Shortie,
Mumford & Sons,
The Big Pink and
The Temper Trap
The Temper Trap are an Australian indie rock band formed in 2005 by , Jonathon Aherne, and Toby Dundas. In 2008, the group relocated from Melbourne to London. The band released their debut album ''Conditions (album), Conditions'' in June 2009 to ...
.
Sound of 2010
The longlist for the Sound of 2010 poll was revealed on 7 December 2009. The acts nominated were
Daisy Dares You,
Delphic,
Devlin,
Ellie Goulding,
Everything Everything,
Giggs,
Gold Panda,
Hurts Hurts may refer to:
* Pain, injury or suffering
* Hurts (duo), British musical duo
* Hurts (song), "Hurts" (song), by Emeli Sandé, 2016
* "Hurts", a song by Lany from ''LANY (album), LANY'', 2017
* "Hurts", a song by Mika from ''No Place in Heaven ...
,
Joy Orbison,
Marina and the Diamonds,
Owl City
Owl City is an American electronic music project created in 2007 in Owatonna, Minnesota. It is one of several projects by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young (American musician), Adam Young, who created the project while exp ...
,
Rox,
Stornoway
Stornoway (; ) is the main town, and by far the largest, of the Outer Hebrides (or Western Isles), and the capital of Lewis and Harris in Scotland.
The town's population is around 6,953, making it the third-largest island town in Scotlan ...
,
The Drums
The Drums is an American indie pop band/project from New York City. It was initially formed by Jonathan Pierce and Jacob Graham as Goat Explosion, and later added Adam Kessler and Connor Hanwick. Graham exited the band in 2016. Since then, ...
and
Two Door Cinema Club. On 8 January 2010, Ellie Goulding was announced as the winner. She has since gone to reach No. 1 with her debut album ''
Lights''.
Sound of 2011
The longlist for the Sound of 2011 poll was revealed on 6 December 2010. The acts nominated were
Anna Calvi
Anna Margaret Michelle Calvi (born 24 September 1980) is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. Her accolades include three Mercury Prize nominations, one Brit Awards, Brit Award nomination, and a European Border Breakers Award. She has b ...
,
Clare Maguire,
Daley,
Esben and the Witch,
Jai Paul,
James Blake,
Jamie Woon,
Jessie J,
MONA,
NERO
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ( ; born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus; 15 December AD 37 – 9 June AD 68) was a Roman emperor and the final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from AD 54 until his ...
,
The Naked and Famous,
The Vaccines,
Warpaint,
Wretch 32
Jermaine Sinclaire Scott (born 9 March 1985), better known by his stage name Wretch 32, is a British rapper, singer and songwriter from Tottenham, North London. He was a member of the grime collective Combination Chain Gang, before forming The ...
and
Yuck. On 7 January 2011, Jessie J was announced as the winner.
Sound of 2012
The longlist for the Sound of 2012 poll was revealed on 5 December 2011. The acts nominated were
ASAP Rocky,
Azealia Banks,
Dot Rotten,
Dry The River,
Flux Pavilion,
Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean (born Christopher Edwin Breaux; October 28, 1987) is an American singer and songwriter. He has been credited by several music journalism, music critics as a pioneer of the alternative R&B genre. Ocean has won two Grammy Awards and a B ...
,
Friends
''Friends'' is an American television sitcom created by David Crane (producer), David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting List of Friends episodes, ten seasons. With an ensemble cast ...
,
Jamie N Commons,
Lianne La Havas,
Michael Kiwanuka,
Niki & the Dove,
Ren Harvieu,
Skrillex
Sonny John Moore (born January 15, 1988), known professionally as Skrillex, is an American DJ, record producer, musician, singer. Raised in Northeast Los Angeles and Northern California, he began his career in 2004 as the lead vocalist of the ...
,
Spector and
Stooshe. On 6 January 2012, Michael Kiwanuka was announced as the winner.
Sound of 2013
The longlist for the Sound of 2013 poll was revealed on 9 December 2012. The acts nominated were
AlunaGeorge,
A*M*E,
Angel Haze,
Arlissa,
CHVRCHΞS,
HAIM,
King Krule,
Kodaline
Kodaline () are an Irish rock band. Originally known as 21 Demands, the band adopted their current name in 2012 to coincide with the changing of their music. The group comprises Steve Garrigan, Vincent May, Mark Penderson and Jason Boland.
Gar ...
,
Laura Mvula,
Little Green Cars,
Palma Violets,
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony in the absence of hostility and violence, and everything that discusses achieving human welfare through justice and peaceful conditions. In a societal sense, peace is commonly used to mean a lack of conflict (suc ...
,
Savages,
the Weeknd
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (; born February 16, 1990), known professionally as the Weeknd, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is best known for adding Pop music, pop, electronic music, electronic and hip-hop stylings ...
and
Tom Odell
Thomas Peter Odell (born 24 November 1990) is an English singer-songwriter. He released his debut extended play, ''Songs from Another Love'', in 2012. He won the 2013 BRIT Awards, BRITs Critics' Choice Award in early 2013. Odell's debut studio ...
. On 4 January 2013, HAIM were announced as the winners on Radio 1 by Huw Stephens.
Sound of 2014
The longlist for the Sound of 2014 poll was revealed on 2 December 2013. The acts nominated were
Banks,
Chance the Rapper,
Chlöe Howl,
Ella Eyre,
George Ezra,
FKA twigs
Tahliah Debrett Barnett (born 16 January 1988), known professionally as FKA Twigs (stylized as FKA twigs), is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and dancer. She was a backup dancer for numerous musicians, and made her musica ...
,
Jungle,
Kelela,
Luke Sital-Singh,
MNEK,
Nick Mulvey,
Royal Blood,
Sam Smith,
Sampha and
Say Lou Lou. On 10 January 2014, Sam Smith was announced as the winner on Radio 1 by Nick Grimshaw.
Sound of 2015
The longlist for the Sound of 2015 poll was revealed on 1 December 2014. The acts nominated were
George the Poet,
James Bay
James Bay (, ; ) is a large body of water located on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. It borders the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, and is politically part of Nunavut. Its largest island is Akimiski Island.
Numerous waterways of the ...
,
Kwabs,
Låpsley,
Novelist
A novelist is an author or writer of novels, though often novelists also write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction. Some novelists are professional novelists, thus make a living wage, living writing novels and other fiction, while other ...
,
Rae Morris,
Raury,
Shamir,
Shura
Shura () is the term for collective decision-making in Islam. It can, for example, take the form of a council or a referendum. The Quran encourages Muslims to decide their affairs in consultation with each other.
Shura is mentioned as a praise ...
,
Slaves
Slavery is the ownership of a person as property, especially in regards to their labour. Slavery typically involves compulsory work, with the slave's location of work and residence dictated by the party that holds them in bondage. Enslavemen ...
,
SOAK,
Stormzy,
Sunset Sons,
Wolf Alice and
Years & Years. On 9 January 2015, Years & Years were announced as the winners on Radio 1 by Huw Stephens.
Sound of 2016
The longlist for the Sound of 2016 poll was revealed on 30 November 2015. The acts nominated were
Alessia Cara,
Billie Marten,
Blossoms,
Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa ( ; born22 August 1995) is an English and Albanian singer, songwriter and actress. List of awards and nominations received by Dua Lipa, Her accolades include seven Brit Awards and three Grammy Awards.
Lipa worked as a model before v ...
,
Frances
Frances is an English given name or last name of Latin origin. In Latin the meaning of the name Frances is 'from France' or 'the French.' The male version of the name in English is Francis (given name), Francis. The original Franciscus, meaning "F ...
,
Izzy Bizu,
Jack Garratt,
J Hus
Momodou Lamin Jallow (born 26 October 1996) known professionally as J Hus, is a British rapper and singer who has been credited with pioneering the genre Afroswing. He is currently signed to Black Butter Records. He gained popularity in 2015 f ...
,
Loyle Carner,
Mabel,
Mura Masa,
NAO,
RAT BOY,
Section Boyz and
WSTRN. On 8 January 2016, Jack Garratt was announced as the winner.
Sound of 2017
The longlist for the Sound of 2017 poll was revealed on 28 November 2016. The acts nominated were
AJ Tracey,
Anderson .Paak,
CABBAGE
Cabbage, comprising several cultivars of '' Brassica oleracea'', is a leafy green, red (purple), or white (pale green) biennial plant grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads. It is descended from the wild cabbage ( ''B.& ...
,
Dave,
Declan McKenna,
Jorja Smith,
Maggie Rogers,
Nadia Rose,
Rag'n'Bone Man,
Ray BLK,
Raye,
Stefflon Don
Stephanie Victoria Allen (born 14 December 1991), known professionally as Stefflon Don, is an English rapper. She rose to fame with her 2017 single "Hurtin' Me" (featuring French Montana), which peaked at number seven on the UK singles chart, ...
,
The Amazons,
The Japanese House and
Tom Grennan. On 6 January 2017, Ray BLK was announced as the winner on Radio 1 by Clara Amfo.
Sound of 2018
The longlist for the Sound of 2018 was revealed on 27 November 2017. The acts nominated were
ALMA,
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell ( ; born December 18, 2001) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She first gained public attention in 2015 with her debut single "Ocean Eyes (song), Ocean Eyes", written and produced by her broth ...
,
IAMDDB,
Jade Bird,
Khalid,
Lewis Capaldi
Lewis Marc Capaldi (born 7 October 1996) is a Scottish singer-songwriter and musician. In March 2019, his single "Someone You Loved" (2018) topped the UK Singles Chart where it remained for seven weeks, and in November 2019, it reached number ...
,
Nilüfer Yanya,
Not3s,
Pale Waves,
Rex Orange County,
Sam Fender,
Sigrid,
Superorganism,
Tom Walker,
yaeji and
Yxng Bane. On 12 January 2018, Sigrid was announced as the winner on Radio 1 by Clara Amfo.
Sound of 2019
The longlist for the Sound of 2019 was revealed on 10 December 2018. The acts nominated were
Dermot Kennedy,
Ella Mai,
FLOHIO,
Grace Carter,
King Princess,
Mahalia,
Octavian,
ROSALÍA,
Sea Girls and
slowthai. This is the first longlist since the Sound of 2007 to feature only 10 acts. On 11 January 2019, Octavian was announced as the winner by Annie Mac, making him the first rapper to win the longlist since 50 Cent in 2003. He was also the first winner since 2009 to be signed not with
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Netherlands, Dutch–United States, American multinational Music industry, music corporation under Law of the Netherlands, ...
, with which all winners of ''Sound of...'' since 2010 were signed at the time of awarding - Octavian is signed with
Black Butter, which is partially owned by Universal's competitor,
Sony Music
Sony Music Entertainment (SME), commonly known as Sony Music, is an American multinational music company owned by Japanese conglomerate Sony Group Corporation. It is the recording division of Sony Music Group, with the other half being the ...
.
Sound of 2020
The longlist for the Sound of 2020 was revealed on 12 December 2019. The acts nominated were
Arlo Parks
Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho (born 9 August 2000), known professionally as Arlo Parks, is an English singer and songwriter. Her debut studio album, ''Collapsed in Sunbeams'', was released in 2021 to critical acclaim and peaked at number th ...
,
beabadoobee,
Celeste,
easy life,
Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States
Georgia may also refer to:
People and fictional characters
* Georgia (name), a list of pe ...
,
Inhaler,
Joesef,
Joy Crookes,
Squid
A squid (: squid) is a mollusc with an elongated soft body, large eyes, eight cephalopod limb, arms, and two tentacles in the orders Myopsida, Oegopsida, and Bathyteuthida (though many other molluscs within the broader Neocoleoidea are also ...
and
YUNGBLUD
Dominic Richard Harrison (born 5 August 1997), known professionally as Yungblud, is an English singer, songwriter and actor. In 2018, he released his debut EP ''Yungblud'', followed by his first full-length album ''21st Century Liability''. In ...
. On 9 January 2020, Celeste was announced as the winner.
Sound of 2021
The longlist for the Sound of 2021 was revealed on 7 December 2020. The acts nominated were
Alfie Templeman,
BERWYN,
Bree Runway,
Dutchavelli,
girl in red,
Greentea Peng,
Griff
Griff may refer to:
People
* Griff (name), a list of people with the given name or surname
* Griff (singer), stage name of English singer and songwriter Sarah Faith Griffiths (born 2001)
* Nickname of Guy Griffiths (1915–1999), British Secon ...
,
Holly Humberstone,
Pa Salieu and
The Lathums. On 7 January 2021, Pa Salieu was announced as the winner on Radio 1 by Annie Mac.
Sound of 2022
The longlist for the Sound of 2022 was revealed on 6 December 2021. The acts nominated were
Baby Queen,
Central Cee,
ENNY,
Lola Young,
Mimi Webb,
PinkPantheress,
Priya Ragu,
Tems,
Wet Leg, and
Yard Act. On 6 January 2022, PinkPantheress was announced as the winner by Jack Saunders.
Sound of 2023
The longlist for the Sound of 2023 was revealed on December 5, 2022. The acts nominated were
Asake,
Biig Piig,
Cat Burns,
DYLAN,
FLO,
Fred again..,
Gabriels,
Nia Archives,
piri & tommy and
Rachel Chinouriri. On 5 January 2023, FLO were announced as the winners by Stormzy and Jack Saunders, making them the first female group to win the longlist since HAIM in 2013.
Sound of 2024
The longlist for the Sound of 2024 was revealed on 4 December 2023. The acts nominated were
Ayra Starr,
Caity Baser,
CMAT,
Elmiene,
Kenya Grace,
Olivia Dean,
Peggy Gou,
Sekou,
The Last Dinner Party, and
Tyla. On 5 January 2024, The Last Dinner Party were announced as the winners by Florence Welch and Jack Saunders.
Sound of 2025
The longlist for the Sound of 2025 was revealed on 21 November 2024. The acts nominated were
Barry Can't Swim,
Chappell Roan
Kayleigh Rose Amstutz (born February 19, 1998), known professionally as Chappell Roan ( ), is an American singer and songwriter. She is known for her Camp (style), camp and drag queen–influenced aesthetic. Her debut EP, ''School Nights'' (201 ...
,
Confidence Man,
Doechii,
English Teacher,
Ezra Collective,
Good Neighbours,
KNEECAP
The patella (: patellae or patellas), also known as the kneecap, is a flat, rounded triangular bone which articulates with the femur (thigh bone) and covers and protects the anterior articular surface of the knee joint. The patella is found in m ...
,
Mk.gee,
Myles Smith, and
Pozer. On 10 January 2025, Chappell Roan was announced as the winner.
Criticism
It has been commented upon that the Sound of... survey creates a
self-fulfilling prophecy, because the BBC has a significant amount of control on who becomes a "breakthrough act". And by adding the nominated acts to their radio playlists, they are guaranteeing some level of fame.
''
Guardian'' critic
Kitty Empire wrote in December 2007, "Many of us are editors commissioning, and journalists writing, our own ones-to-watch forecasts. In order not to look like idiots, we tend to tip acts with records coming out rather than some lad with a tin whistle we found on
MySpace
Myspace (formerly stylized as MySpace, currently myspace; and sometimes my␣, with an elongated Whitespace character#Substitute images, open box symbol) is a social networking service based in the United States. Launched on August 1, 2003, it w ...
."
[
]
The same issue was again raised in 2011, upon the publication of the longlist for the Sound of 2012. ''
The Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally. It was found ...
''s Joe Burgis wrote, "The Sound of 2012 project faces criticism that it is too heavily weighted in favour of mainstream performers."
[
]
The head of music at
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and Contemporary hit radio, current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including ...
and
1Xtra
BBC Radio 1Xtra is a British digital radio in the United Kingdom, digital radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It broadcasts Black music and Urban contemporary music, urban music, including Hip hop music, hip hop and Contemporary R&B, ...
response to the question was "The list will inspire debate for sure, but most importantly, it will lead to discovery of artists and musicians trying to stand out from the ever-expanding crowd, and that can only be a good thing".
Upon the publication of the Sound of 2025 longlist, ''
Clash''s Robin Murray criticised the longlist that comprises artists who have already achieved success such as festival headliners and
Mercury Prize
The Mercury Prize, formerly called the Mercury Music Prize, is an annual Music award, music prize awarded for the best album released by a musical act from the Music of the United Kingdom, United Kingdom or Music of Ireland, Ireland. It was cre ...
winners instead of new artists who haven't had a breakthrough.
[
]
This was due to a change in the eligibility criteria, which states that artists could not have had more than two UK top 10 albums or two UK top 10 singles by 30 September 2024.
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sound Of...
BBC music awards
BBC New Media
Sound of...
Awards established in 2003
2003 establishments in the United Kingdom