With the BBC’s Sound Of 2015 longlist just announced, we thought we’d point out the ones we’d like to see win. With last year’s winner being Sam Smith, someone who seemingly shot to stardom overnight, this list highlights potential new young leaders in the world of popular music. Previous winners include Adele (2008), Keane (2004) and 50 Cent (2003).
Having been with him from the start, we’ve been watching George The Poet very closely. Just over three years ago we invited the young spoken word artist along to record a little session with us and we knew in which direction he was headed. George offers up a refreshing take on speaking from the heart. His eloquence and charm earned him a place at Cambridge University and helped him transition from rap to poetry and ‘thoughtful social commentary’ in his own words.
Not awash with names up our street, here’s a few others from the list we think should win. Royal Academy of Music graduate Kwabs whose tracks have also seen remixes from Sasha and Maya Jane Coles. SKTRKT collaborator, Raury, whose ‘genreless music’ straddles the border between rap and pop music beautifully. MC Novelist is seen by much of the grime old guard as the genre’s great new hope – as demonstrated in this ridiculous session with Toddla T. Female vocalist Shura, first came to our attention with her stunningly haunting collaboration with Hiatus, while her own ‘Touch‘ is what we’d like all pop to sound like.
The winner is announced in early January on BBC Radio 1 on the Breakfast Show. Watch our session with George The Poet below and see the full longlist here.
