The BBC has released the 11 names that feature on their longlist for the annual BBC Sound of award, with Chappell Roan already considered the favourite to win the 2025 edition.
But there has been a significant change to the criteria judges have used to create their list of nominees, to “reflect the challenges artists face in achieving mainstream success in the streaming era.”
This year, Artists could qualify even if they had already achieved up to two UK top 10 albums or two UK top 10 singles by 30 September 2024, representing a departure from stricter limits in previous years in an aim to recognize the increased effort required to break into mainstream charts while maintaining artistic creativity.
The panel of judges included a mix of industry experts and well-known musicians. Over 180 music industry professionals participated, including representatives from Spotify, Glastonbury Festival and (of course) BBC Radio 1, with high-profile artists on the panel included Sir Elton John, Dua Lipa, Jorja Smith, The Blessed Madonna and Sam Smith.
The winner of the BBC Sound of 2025 will be announced in January 2025, with the top five revealed in reverse order between Monday 6 January and Friday 10 January. The exact day of the winner's announcement will follow shortly after the top five countdown concludes.
So who are the 11 that the panel have narrowed it down to so far?
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5. English Teacher
Indie rock gets a literary twist with 2024 Mercury Prize winners English Teacher, whose clever storytelling and angular riffs have already earned them critical plaudits. | Jacob Flannery
6. Ezra Collective
Bringing jazz to a new generation, Ezra Collective fuses Afrobeat, hip-hop, and funk into a sound that's as innovative as it is soulful. | Getty Images
7. Good Neighbours
Dreamlike and introspective, Good Neighbours crafts indie-folk melodies that feel like a warm hug on a cold day. | Provided
8. KNEECAP
Raw and rebellious, KNEECAP’s Irish-language hip-hop is a fierce blend of social commentary and cutting-edge beats. | Contributed