The Sound Of 2017?

The BBC Music Sound of 2017 revealed, comprising 15 new artists tipped for commercial success next year, and no doubt triggering a wave of think pieces on if such polls are relevant in the modern age.

The long list inevitably includes the likes of Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Declan McKenna and Cabbagesbut also bizzarely features Anderson Paak (pictured), who started releasing music in 2012 and put out critically acclaimed album ‘Malibu’ this year. Is this some sort of attempt at reverse psychology by the BBC?

The list has been compiled after around 170 influential music industry experts, including DJs, critics, broadcasters and international pundits voted for their top three acts to watch from any genre in 2017.

Chris Price, Head of Music BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, said: “The BBC Music Sound Of panel, always the broadest and most objective list of new music tastemakers assembled each year – which now includes international voices too – has delivered yet another exciting and diverse list of new and emerging talent to look out for next year”.

Price went on to say quite a bit more about past winners and BBC’s support of the current list and all of that but The Gen prefers its quotes (and in fact its tastemaker lists) to be nice and succinct.

Director of BBC Music and Radio, Bob Shennan added: “The BBC’s commitment to developing new talent goes to the very heart of our public service purpose. BBC Music Sound Of, as well as BBC Introducing, are increasingly important ways that music lovers can make sure they are immediately across the musical superstars of the future”.

As ever, the 15 selected acts will be whittled down to five in January, counting down one each day from 2^nd January, with the BBC Music Sound Of 2017 winner announced on 6^th January via Clara Amfo’s show.

The sound of 2017 is apparently:

AJ Tracey, Anderson Paak, Cabbage, Dave, Declan McKenna, Jorja Smith, Maggie Rogers, Nadia Rose, Rag’n’Bone Man, Ray BLK, Raye, Stefflon Don, The Amazons, The Japanese House, Tom Grennan.