FLO, Biig Piig, Fred again.. and Nia Archives lead BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2023 longlist

04 December 2022, 23:59 | Written by The Line of Best Fit

(News)

(Asake) (Biig Piig) (Cat Burns) (Dylan) (FLO) (Fred again..) (Gabriels) (Nia Archives) (Piri & Tommy) (Rachel Chinouriri)

The longlist for Radio 1’s Sound of 2023 – which tips ten new artists for success each year - has been revealed.

The full list – chosen by a panel of over 130 industry experts and artists, including Elton John, Dua Lipa and Sam Smith – includes:

Asake
Biig Piig
Cat Burns
Dylan
FLO
Fred again..
Gabriels
Nia Archives
Piri & Tommy
Rachel Chinouriri

Last year's Sound Of... saw PinkPantheress crowned the winner ahead Wet Leg, Central Cee and Tems.

The poll has a strong track record of tipping names that have gone on to extraordinary success – notably the likes of Adele, Haim and Ellie Goulding – although The Bravery won over Kano in 2005, Billie Eilish didn't even rank in the top five back in 2018, and 2015 saw James Bay rank above Stormzy.

FLO, Nia Archives and Cat Burns also share nominations for the BRITs Rising Star Award, voted for by a similar set of industry figures – and we predict a close race for them along with the likes of Fred Again..., Gabriels and Biig Piig.

The countdown of the Top 3 will kick off across Radio 1 on Tuesday, 3 January 2023. The winner will be revealed on Thursday, 5 January 2023

The list was compiled using recommendations from 136 influential music experts, including artists, DJs, radio and TV producers, journalists, streaming experts and festival bookers. All were asked to name their favourite three new acts, who could be performers from any country and any musical genre, whether or not they are signed. They cannot have been the lead artist on a UK top five album or three UK top ten singles before 31 October 2022. They also must not already be widely known by the UK general public (for example, a member of a hit band going solo or a TV star) or have appeared on the Sound Of… list before.