Who’s about to blow up? BBC Drops “Sound of 2014” noms

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Who’s about to blow up? BBC Drops “Sound of 2014” noms

BBC has released their highly anticipated annual “Sound Of” selections for 2014. BBC conducts a poll of music critics and industry figures inquiring as to who they believe are about to blow up. A long list is unveiled of 15 artists; which is then whittled down to 5 candidates who are eligible to take out the gong. The selections have been eerily accurate in the past – often foreseeing the ascension of some of our favourite artists, including Gold Panda, Jai Paul and James Blake.

This year is no different. There’s some unique and inspiring selections amongst the candidates. Traditionally, the award goes to a pop artist who is likely to achieve commercial mainstream success – previous winners Adele, Jessie J and Ellie Goulding confirm this. Whilst there are some generic commercial acts on there and we don’t quintessentially endorse these tastemaker type polls, the list is certainly not short of some dance influenced goodness.

We’re stoked to see Banks on the list –  an LA based RNB songstress/mega-Babraham Lincoln, who has worked closely with T.E.E.D in production on her ‘Fall Over’ EP.

Equally, can’t go past Sampha. His smooth tones that feature heavily on SBTRKT’s debut album and more recently Drake’s are undeniably unheralded. The release of his Dual EP and subsequent Too Much/Happens side disc are heavenly – expect a big year from the Young Turks representative.

Young Turks have further representation from FKA Twigs, an intriguing character whose music is rich and pulsating, highly addictive and indicative of the future direction of pop music – she’s real choice; check her out!

Finally, New York based singer Kelela gets a well deserved nomination. Her ‘Cut 4 Me’ mixtape features some mighty fine producers – including Kingdom, Girl Unit, Jam City, Morri$ and Nguzunguzu – and has been on high rotation here at Stoney Roads for a couple of months.

Gotta give some quick love to Disclosure’s featured singer Sam Smith and James Blake remixer Chance the Rapper as well.

These cats are bringing it for dance music, but we’d love to throw in some of our own suggestions – thinking massive years are ahead for some already established big dawg’s who are ready to take it to the next level. Surely Gessaffelstein, Ryan Hemsworth, Daniel Avery and Cashmere Cat are worthy of a mention.

What do you reckon? Who will/should win this year’s gong? Anyone set for a big year that we haven’t heard of yet?

Check out the full list of BBC’s “Sound Of 2014” nominees below.

  • Banks
  • Chance The Rapper
  • Ella Eyre
  • George Ezra
  • FKA Twigs
  • Chloe Howl
  • Jungle
  • Kelela
  • MNEK
  • Nick Mulvey
  • Royal Blood
  • Sampha
  • Say Lou Lou
  • Luke Sital-Singh
  • Sam Smith

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