The next generation of potential pop stars have been highlighted by the BBC Music Sound of 2018 longlist. Sixteen emerging artists have made it onto the list, now in its 16th year, which has previously included names like Adele, Frank Ocean and Dua Lipa. This year’s crop includes the youngest ever nominee, 15-year-old US pop singer Billie Eilish.
She’s joined on the list by two other teenagers, rising R&B star Khalid and singer-songwriter Rex Orange County. Their names were selected by a panel of 173 music experts, including critics, broadcasters and DJs. For the first time, the panel also included former nominees, including Stormzy, Ellie Goulding, Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander and last year’s winner, Ray BLK. After a couple of years where grime and UK rap featured heavily on the longlist, this year’s selection has swung back to pop.
The BBC Sound of 2018 list in full:
Alma
Billie Eilish
IAMDDB
Jade Bird
Khalid
Lewis Capaldi
Not3s
Nilüfer Yanya
Pale Waves
Rex Orange County
Sigrid
Sam Fender
Superorganism
Tom Walker
Yaeji
Yxng Bane
