The BBC has released its shortlist for who they deem to be the "Sound of 2017." Being bestowed the sound of a designated year is a pretty good indicator of success given that past winners have included 50 Cent, Adele, Ellie Goulding, Years & Years and Sam Smith. This year among those on the list include Anderson .Paak, Dave, The Japanese House and Stefflon Don.
Anderson .Paak is the biggest name on the list, having broken out in 2016 with his sophomore album Malibu in January and collaborated on numerous songs with the likes of Dr. Dre, A Tribe Called Quest, Schoolboy Q and others. He has already become an integral part of the sound of 2016, so it isn't too hard to imagine that hot streak continuing into 2017.
The rest of the list includes a wide-variety of different artists. With grime and UK hip-hop getting some respect from the mainstream music industry, most notably Skepta's Konnichiwa winning the 2016 Mercury Prize, Ray Blk and Nadia Rose get nods on the list. They are also joined by fellow wordsmiths, Stefflon Don, Dave, who was just remixed by Drake and AJ Tracey.
Other acts on the list include punk rock band Cabbage, The Japanese House and The Amazons.
Jack Garratt won in 2016.
Find the full list of those on the shortlist below. The 15 names will be whittled down to five in the New Year and then the winner will be announced on Jan. 6.
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
