BBC Reveals Sound of 2025 Longlist, Featuring Chappell Roan and Ezra Collective

The BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2025 longlist has been revealed. It features established emerging artists such as Chappell Roan and Barry Can’t Swim, alongside newer acts like Myles Smith and Good Neighbours. This accolade recognizes developing artists deemed to have “the best chance of mainstream success” within the upcoming 12 months. Previous recipients of the award include Adele, Sam Smith, Michael Kiwanuka, PinkPantheress, and Haim. The Last Dinner Party, who won last year, achieved a number one album and a Mercury Prize nomination for their inaugural release, Prelude To Ecstasy. The current year’s longlist additionally features the indie group English Teacher and the Northern Irish rap ensemble Kneecap. The ultimate winner is scheduled to be disclosed on BBC Radio 1 and BBC News in January. The 11 contenders are: A selection committee comprising over 180 music industry professionals and artists, including delegates from Spotify, the Glastonbury Festival, and the BBC, along with musicians like Sir Elton John, Dua Lipa, Jorja Smith, The Blessed Madonna, and Sam Smith, chose the nominees. American pop artist Chappell Roan is considered the leading candidate, following a remarkable year during which she transitioned from being Olivia Rodrigo’s backing vocalist to a prominent pop sensation. Her music, which diverges from the prevalent whispery bedroom pop style, features cheerleader chants and lively hooks that chronicle her journey of self-discovery and sexuality. The previous week, she received six Grammy Award nominations, encompassing best new artist and album of the year, for her debut album, The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess. Another highly anticipated act is the London-based jazz group Ezra Collective, recipients of the 2023 Mercury Prize for their expressive and vibrant album Where I’m Meant To Be. Their subsequent release this year, titled Dance, No One’s Watching, serves as both an invitation and an invocation, featuring flexible funk rhythms that drove the album into the top 10. The versatile rapper Doechii is also included on the list, solidifying her emergence as a significant new voice in hip-hop. Hailing from Florida, she gained recognition with the viral 2021 track Yucky Blucky Fruitcake, subsequently touring with SZA and Doja Cat. She has also been nominated for the best new artist Grammy, and her latest mixtape, Alligator Bites Don’t Heal, was described by Rolling Stone as “one of the year’s very best albums.” Presenting a distinct style of hip-hop are Kneecap, a group that raps in both English and Irish, addressing the repercussions of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. The three members, known by their stage names Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, launched their second album earlier this year, accompanied by a “mostly true” film illustrating their beginnings. From London’s rap scene, Croydon-native Pozer is featured; his initial single, Kitchen Stove, has accumulated over 30 million streams on Spotify since February. Following a period dominated by solo artists, this year’s longlist demonstrates a strong presence of bands, filling five of the 11 available positions. Among them are the UK pop-rock duo Good Neighbours, who evoke a sense of feelgood nostalgia in songs such as Home and Daisies, and the Australian electro-pop group Confidence Man, recognized for their elaborately choreographed (and exceptionally entertaining) live performances. The Leeds-based band English Teacher marks the second Mercury Prize winner on the list. Their debut album, This Could Be Texas, which blends art-rock edginess with sharp social commentary, was hailed as “one of the finest debuts of the decade” by the independent publication The Line Of Best Fit. Edinburgh producer Barry Can’t Swim is also on the longlist, after a summer of significant festival appearances where audiences were captivated by his uplifting, elegiac style of dance music. Completing the list are emerging singer-songwriter Myles Smith, who achieved a top 10 hit earlier this year with the inspiring folk-pop song Stargazing, and American guitar talent Mk.gee (pronounced “ma-ghee”), whose inaugural album, Two Star & The Dream Police, has gained quiet popularity through word-of-mouth. The artist, born Michael Gordon, and supported by Frank Ocean, recently performed for the first time on the American comedy program Saturday Night Live. Currently in its 23rd year, the Sound Of list has previously identified artists such as Stormzy, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Lady Gaga as future successes. The current year’s nominees might be more familiar than past acts at similar points in their careers. This is attributed to an adjustment in the eligibility requirements, which acknowledges the challenges of attaining widespread success in the streaming age. To be eligible, artists must not have accumulated more than two UK top 10 albums or two UK top 10 singles by 30 September 2024. The winner will be declared in the New Year, with the top five acts being unveiled in reverse sequence from Monday 6 to Friday 10 January. Additionally, Radio 1 will present a special concert featuring performances by artists from the longlist on Monday 2 December. Ticket applications are currently accessible via the BBC Shows and Tours website. Sian Eleri and Jack Saunders will host the concert; they commented that the 2025 longlist is “one of the strongest in a while,” adding, “It’s a reflection of the freedom artists are feeling creatively at the moment. Can’t wait to see who the top five are!” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.