he Sound Of list was started in 2003 with the aim to showcase the most exciting and innovative rising stars. It has gained a reputation as a democratic survey, giving a glimpse into the future of music and predicting some of the biggest acts in the world.
Previous winners include Adele, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, HAIM and Years & Years. The acts that appear on the Sound Of list are all hand-picked by a panel of impartial UK based experts from the music industry.
This year, 144 UK-based tastemakers were selected by BBC News to vote for their Sound Of 2016. The full list of the pundits is published online.
Although the panel includes a selection of the BBC’s most respected new music presenters and producers, the majority of the pundits are from newspapers, magazines, blogs, commercial radio & TV. This year’s list also includes organisers and bookers for some of the biggest UK music festivals like Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and T in the Park, plus lead editorial figures and music curators at music streaming services such as YouTube, Spotify and Deezer.We hope to represent a huge spectrum of music from across the world, covering a diverse range of musical styles and backgrounds.
When selecting the pundits, the BBC’s looking for the most genuine and passionate music fans, whose day-job also involves showcasing the best new music to a wider audience. None of the pundits are paid for taking part.
Sound Of 2016 longlist
Izzy Bizu
Blossoms
Alessia Cara
Loyle Carner
Frances
Jack Garratt
J Hus
Dua Lipa
Mabel
Billie Marten
Mura Masa
NAO
Rat Boy
Section Boyz
WSTRN
Find out more and watch videos on the Sound Of 2016 site
My bet? Alessia Cara.
