BBC Radio 1 has announced the longlist for Sound Of 2026 with 10 artists being on the list. The top fice will be announced on Radio 1 throughout the week starting January 5, with the winner being announced on January 9.

This list has been running since 2003, and this year’s candidates have been decided by a panel of over 170 industry experts and artists, including Elton John, Dua Lipa, JADE, Olivia Dean, Yungblud, and former winner Sam Smith.

The artists on the longlist are listed below, with a bit of information about each of them.

Alessi Rose – she released her debut single in 2023 and her career took off from there. In just two years after the release, she has released three EP’s, and toured with artists such as Noah Kahan, Tate McRae, and Dua Lipa.

Chloe Qisha – she came into the UK music scene last year and has gained attention due to her 80s inspired alt-pop sound. In the last year she has supported Sabrina Carpenter and Coldplay in London, as well as played a set at All Points East festival earlier this summer.

Florence Road – in early 2025 they released their first ever single ‘Heavy’ and went on to support major artists in the space of a few months such as Olivia Rodrigo, Wolf Alice, and The Last Dinner Party! who were the winner of Sound Of 2024.

Geese – their music and vocals bring raw emotion and vulnerability to lyrics that on their own don’t necessarily convey this, and it feels like a unique combination.

Jim Legxacy – he has released three EPs and two mixtapes, the latest of which came out earlier this year in summer. He collaborated with Fred again… on his 2024 album, released a song with DAVE, and co-wrote and co-produced Central Cee and DAVE’s hit single ‘Sprinter’ in 2023.

Kwn – she started releasing music in 2022, with her lyrics celebrating queer love and desire. In the last year, she has performed at Wireless Festival and collaborated with Kehlani on a remix of her single ‘Worst Behaviour’.

Royel Otis – they released their debut album in 2024 and have been associated with successful covers. These include one of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’, and The Cranberries’ ‘Linger’. They akso released a successful album ‘Hickey’, with a popular lead single ‘Who’s Your Boyfriend’.

Sasha Keable – she released a viral TikTok song ‘Hold Up’ and has collaborated with artists such as Dev Hynes, Ezra Collective, and Jorja  Smith.

Skye Newman – she started releasing music earlier this year, and in a short space of time, her song ‘Family Matters’ charted in the UK Top 10, and she supported Lewis Capaldi.

Sombr – his debut album ‘I Barely Know Her’ released earlier this year became one of the biggest albums of the year, with hit singles including ‘Back To Friends’, ‘Undressed’, and ’12 to 12′.

The Sound Of… tends to identify major future artists, with previous winners including Adele, The Last Dinner Party, 50 Cent, Ellie Goulding, Years & Years, and HAIM.