Sound of...

Winners

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notes

Sound of 2009

More than 130 critics, editors and broadcasters took part in the Sound of 2009 survey,{{cite news | access-date = 2009-01-01 }} which was won by electro-pop singer Little Boots. For the first time, a longlist of 15 acts from the 2009 poll was published by the BBC on 5 December 2008.{{cite news | access-date =2008-12-26 }} The other five acts on the longlist were Frankmusik, Master Shortie, Mumford & Sons, The Big Pink and The Temper Trap.

Sound of 2010

The longlist for the Sound of 2010 poll was revealed on 7 December 2009.{{cite news | access-date =2010-01-08}} The acts nominated were Daisy Dares You, Delphic, Devlin, Ellie Goulding, Everything Everything, Giggs, Gold Panda, Hurts, Joy Orbison, Marina and the Diamonds, Owl City, Rox, Stornoway, The Drums 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.{{cite news | access-date =2010-01-08

Sound of 2011

The longlist for the Sound of 2011 poll was revealed on 6 December 2010.{{cite news The acts nominated were Anna Calvi, Clare Maguire, Daley, Esben and the Witch, Jai Paul, James Blake, Jamie Woon, Jessie J, MONA, NERO, The Naked and Famous, The Vaccines, Warpaint, Wretch 32 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, Friends, Jamie N Commons, Lianne La Havas, Michael Kiwanuka, Niki & the Dove, Ren Harvieu, Skrillex, 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, AME, Angel Haze, Arlissa, CHVRCHΞS, HAIM, King Krule, Kodaline, Laura Mvula, Little Green Cars, Palma Violets, Peace, Savages, the Weeknd and Tom Odell. 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, 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, Kwabs, Låpsley, Novelist, Rae Morris, Raury, Shamir, Shura, Slaves, 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, Frances, Izzy Bizu, Jack Garratt, J Hus, 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, Dave, Declan McKenna, Jorja Smith, Maggie Rogers, Nadia Rose, Rag'n'Bone Man, Ray BLK, Raye, Stefflon Don, 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, IAMDDB, Jade Bird, Khalid, Lewis Capaldi, 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, 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.

Sound of 2020

The longlist for the Sound of 2020 was revealed on 12 December 2019. The acts nominated were Arlo Parks, beabadoobee, Celeste, easy life, Georgia, Inhaler, Joesef, Joy Crookes, Squid and YUNGBLUD. 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, 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, Confidence Man, Doechii, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Good Neighbours, KNEECAP, Mk.gee, Myles Smith, and Pozer. On 10 January 2025, Chappell Roan was announced as the winner.

Sound of 2026

The longlist for the Sound of 2026 was revealed on 1 December 2025. The acts nominated were Alessi Rose, Chloe Qisha, Florence Road, Geese, Jim Legxacy, kwn, Royel Otis, Sasha Keable, Skye Newman, and sombr. On 9 January 2026, Skye Newman 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."{{cite news | access-date = 2009-01-01

The same issue was again raised in 2011, upon the publication of the longlist for the Sound of 2012. The Daily Telegraphs Joe Burgis wrote, "The Sound of 2012 project faces criticism that it is too heavily weighted in favour of mainstream performers."{{cite news | access-date = 2012-11-12

The head of music at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra 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, Clashs Robin Murray criticised the longlist that comprises artists who have already achieved success such as festival headliners and Mercury Prize winners instead of new artists who haven't had a breakthrough.{{cite news | access-date = 2024-11-21

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

References

1. (2002-12-24). "Sound of 2003". BBC.
2. (2004-01-09). "Sound of 2004". BBC.
3. (2005-01-07). "Sound of 2005". BBC.
4. (2006-01-06). "Sound of 2006". BBC.
5. (2007-01-05). "Sound of 2007". BBC.
6. (2008-01-04). "Sound of 2008". BBC.
7. (2009-01-09). "Sound of 2009". BBC.
8. (2010-01-06). "Sound of 2010". BBC.
9. (2011-01-08). "Sound of 2011". BBC.
10. (2012-01-06). "Sound of 2012". BBC.
11. (2013-01-04). "Sound of 2013". BBC.
12. (2014-01-10). "Sound of 2014". BBC.
13. (2015-01-09). "Sound of 2015". BBC.
14. (2016-01-08). "Sound of 2016". BBC.
15. (2017-01-06). "Sound of 2017". BBC.
16. (2018-01-12). "Sound of 2018". BBC.
17. (2019-01-11). "Sound of 2019". BBC.
18. (2020-01-09). "Sound of 2020". BBC.
19. (2021-01-07). "Sound of 2021". BBC.
20. (2022-01-06). "Sound of 2022". BBC.
21. (2023-01-05). "Sound of 2023". BBC.
22. (2024-01-05). "Sound of 2024". BBC.
23. (2025-01-10). "Sound of 2025". BBC.
24. (2026-01-09). "Sound of 2026". BBC.
25. (9 January 2009). "Little Boots tops BBC Sound of 2009 list".
26. (7 January 2011). "Jessie J tops BBC Sound of 2011 list". [[BBC News]].
27. (2011-12-05). "BBC Sound of 2012 list revealed". Digital Spy.
28. Savage, Mark. (6 January 2012). "Sound of 2012: Michael Kiwanuka". [[BBC News]].
29. (2012-12-09). "BBC Sound of 2013 longlist revealed". BBC News.
30. Youngs, Ian. (4 January 2013). "Haim top BBC Sound of 2013 list". [[BBC News]].
31. (2 December 2013). "BBC Sound of 2014 longlist revealed". [[BBC News]].
32. Savage, Mark. (10 January 2014). "Sam Smith named BBC Sound of 2014". [[BBC News]].
33. (2014-12-01). "BBC Music Sound of 2015 longlist revealed". BBC News.
34. Youngs, Ian. (9 January 2015). "Years & Years top BBC Sound Of 2015 list". [[BBC News]].
35. (2015-11-30). "BBC Sound of 2016 longlist revealed". BBC News.
36. Savage, Mark. (8 January 2016). "Jack Garratt tops BBC Sound of 2016 list". [[BBC News]].
37. Savage, Mark. (2016-11-28). "BBC Sound of 2017: Urban acts dominate longlist". BBC.
38. (6 January 2017). "BBC Sound Of 2017: Ray BLK wins". [[BBC News]].
39. Savage, Mark. (2017-11-27). "BBC Sound of 2018: Will these artists define the year?". BBC.
40. Savage, Mark. (12 January 2018). "Sigrid: Norwegian pop star wins BBC Sound of 2018". [[BBC News]].
41. Savage, Mark. (2018-12-10). "BBC Sound of 2019: Which rising stars have made the longlist?". BBC.
42. Savage, Mark. (11 January 2019). "Octavian wins the BBC Sound of 2019". [[BBC News]].
43. Savage, Mark. (2019-12-12). "Yungblud, Georgia and Celeste make the BBC Sound of 2020 longlist".
44. Savage, Mark. (9 January 2020). "Celeste got fired over her love of music. Now she's won the BBC Sound of 2020". [[BBC News]].
45. Savage, Mark. (2020-12-06). "BBC Sound of 2021 longlist includes Griff, Girl In Red and Greentea Peng".
46. Youngs, Ian. (6 January 2021). "Rapper Pa Salieu wins BBC Sound of 2021: 'I am the voice of the voiceless'". [[BBC News]].
47. Savage, Mark. (2021-12-06). "Wet Leg, Pink Pantheress and Central Cee make BBC Sound of 2022 list".
48. Savage, Mark. (5 January 2022). "PinkPantheress made hits from her bedroom - now she's won the BBC Sound Of 2022". [[BBC News]].
49. Savage, Mark. (2022-12-05). "Flo, Cat Burns and Gabriels tipped as Sound Of 2023".
50. Savage, Mark. (4 January 2023). "Girl group Flo win the BBC Sound Of 2023". [[BBC News]].
51. Savage, Mark. (2023-12-04). "BBC Sound of 2024: Tyla, Last Dinner Party and Kenya Grace tipped for success".
52. Savage, Mark. (5 January 2024). "The Last Dinner Party win BBC Radio 1's Sound Of 2024". [[BBC News]].
53. Savage, Mark. (2024-11-21). "Chappell Roan and Ezra Collective on BBC Sound of 2025 list".
54. Savage, Mark. (10 January 2025). "Pop star Chappell Roan wins BBC Sound Of 2025". [[BBC News]].
55. Savage, Mark. (2025-12-02). "Sound of 2026: 10 acts you'll be obsessed with next year".
56. Savage, Mark. (9 January 2026). "'It's incredible, surreal': Skye Newman wins BBC Sound of 2026". [[BBC News]].