The industry has cast its votes, the future stars of music have been predicted: Neneh Cherry’s daughter, a Brits Critics’ Choice winner and a number of UK rap artists have been longlisted for the BBC’s annual Sound of poll.
Assembled by a panel of DJs, critics and writers, the list has highlighted 15 rising acts for the coming year. As with previous years, rock music is low on the agenda, Arctic Monkeys inspired Manchester group Blossoms are guitar music’s only hope (according to this list, anyway), with Rat Boy’s Jamie-T styled indie pop also making the list.
“We are delighted to be a part of the BBC’s Sound of 2016,” said Blossoms. “To discover we’re one of the only guitar acts on the list this year is exciting for all of us. Viva Stockport!”
Instead, solo artists are prevalent: Jack Garratt, winner of last week’s Brits Critics’ Choice award has been tipped, as well as soul pop act Izzy Bizu, British-Kosovan singer Dua Lipa, who was discovered by Lana Del Rey’s managers, balladeer Frances and Canadian R&B singer Alessia Cara.
Mabel, daughter of Neneh Cherry and Massive Attack producer Cameron McVey, is also included, as well as London-born Nao, who previously worked as a backing singer for the likes of Pulp before uploading her solo material on to SoundCloud.
UK rap and grime have a strong presence this year – Londoners J Hus, Loyle Carner, WSTRN and Mobo winners Section Boyz are all featured.
The 15-act longlist will be stripped down to five in January, with the official winner announced on 8 January 2016.
2015’s victors were synth pop trio Years and Years. Previous winners including Adele, Sam Smith and Haim.
Sound of 2016 longlist
- Alessia Cara
- Izzy Bizu
- Blossoms
- Loyle Carner
- Frances
- Jack Garratt
- J Hus
- Dua Lipa
- Mabel
- Billie Marten
- Mura Masa
- Nao
- Rat Boy
- Section Boyz
- WSTRN
