Voted on by 170 UK tastemakers, including DJs, critics, and bloggers, BBC’s annual Sound of… poll is usually a good barometer for the year to come. Last year’s shortlist, for example, had HAIM, AlunaGeorge, Angel Haze, and CHVRCHES all in the top 5. The year before that, Frank Ocean was runner-up. The year before that? Chance the Rapper’s new roommate came in at #2.
The winner of BBC’s Sound of 2014 was announced today and is none other than Sam Smith, the rising singer-songwriter and Disclosure associate who is set to release his debut LP in May. The shortlist also included Los Angeles singer-songwriter Banks and SBTRKT singer Sampha, along with UK pop/R&B singer Ella Eyre and UK blues artist George Ezra.
Here’s how they ranked #1-5:
01. Sam Smith
02. Ella Eyre
03. Banks
04. Sampha
05. Georg Ezra
These acts were also nominated:
Chance The Rapper
Chloe Howl
FKA twigs
Jungle
Kelela
Luke Sital-Singh
MNEK
Nick Mulvey
Royal Blood
Say Lou Lou
Listen to the latest single from our winner, “Money On My Mind”:
