There’s no shortage of end-of-2019 lists predicting the hottest artists of 2020, but one of the most-respected (in the UK, at least) is the BBC’s ‘Sound Of’ list.
It’s the 18th year for this particular predictions chart, which is based on votes from 170 music critics, broadcasters, DJs and former nominees.
According to the Beeb, this year’s trend is away from grime and UK rap, and towards British R&B.
The longlist includes: Arlo Parks, Beabadoobee, Celeste, Easy Life, Georgia, Inhaler, Joesef, Joy Crookes, Squid, and Yungblud. The rules stipulate that musicians “have not been the lead artist on a UK top 10 single or album by 21 October 2019” nor have they “appeared on TV talent shows within the last three years”.
The BBC will now narrow down that longlist to a top five in early January, with an ultimate winner picked to follow in the footsteps of past Sound Of champs Adele, Sam Smith, Years & Years and Sigrid.
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