The BBC has announced the winner of their Sound of 2014 poll, Consequence of Sound reports. 170 UK tastemakers, including DJs, critics and bloggers, vote on who they think the next big artist will be, and it's usually a pretty good barometer. For example, last years shortlist featured HAIM, AlunaGeorge, Angel Haze and Chvrches in the top 5. In 2012, Frank Ocean was the runner-up, and in 2011, James Blake sat at No. 2.
This year the winner of BBC's Sound of 2014 is the singer-songwriter and Disclosure collaborator, Sam Smith. He is scheduled to release his debut LP in May. This year's runner up is UK pop/R&B singer Ella Eyre. The shortlist also includes L.A. singer-songwriter Banks, SBTRKT singer Sampha and UK blues artist George Ezra.
Check out a list of other nominees and listen to winner Sam Smith's track "Money On My Mind" here.
Top 5:
01. Sam Smith
02. Ella Eyre
03. Banks
04. Sampha
05. Georg Ezra
Other nominatees:
Chance The Rapper
Chloe Howl
FKA twigs
Jungle
Kelela
Luke Sital-Singh
MNEK
Nick Mulvey
Royal Blood
Say Lou Lou
