The annual BBC poll, designed to spotlight the biggest rising stars of the year, is decided by a panel of over 180 musicians and industry experts. This year, English Teacher, Myles Smith, Barry Can’t Swim, and Ezra Collective were recognised as emerging talents, with Chappell Roan claiming the title. 

Jack Saunders, host of Radio 1’s New Music Show, praised the win, stating: “No one deserved this accolade more than Chappell Roan. She was the most exciting artist of the last 12 months and is now set to be the artist of the next 12 months.”

Pop star Chappell Roan wins BBC Sound Of 2025 https://t.co/6dftwwEFZX

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 10, 2025

Born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, this recognition marks the culmination of her long musical journey. The 26-year-old artist faced a major setback during the pandemic when she was dropped by her first label, Atlantic Records, after her single, ‘Pink Pony Club’, underperformed commercially.

The song has since become one of her most iconic pieces, and signalled a shift toward a more theatrical, danceable sound rooted in camp and queer culture. 

Inspired by the singer’s first visit to a gay club in Los Angeles, the track reflects Roan’s personal transformation. Born in Missouri, in a devout Christian household, she attended church three times a week and grew up believing that “being gay was as bad as a sin” but has come to embrace her identity and is a proud advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

The club visit also inspired her bold stage persona Chappell Roan, whom she describes as a “larger-than-life, drag queen version of myself”.

As a result, her artistry and performances are unapologetically theatrical and incorporate themes of self-discovery and empowerment, resonating with fans worldwide. Her music – a vibrant blend of pop infused with 1980s synth pop and 2000s nostalgia – is characterised by emotional depth, infectious melodies, and dynamic energy.

After signing to a new record label, Roan released her debut album in 2023 ‘The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess’. Despite only selling a few thousand copies in its first week of release, the record gradually gained traction and catapulted her to new heights.

By April 2024, she was performing to a massive crowd at Coachella and opening for American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo on the first leg of her GUTS Tour. The album’s standout track, ‘Casual’, a dreamy and emotionally raw exploration of modern relationships, further solidified her reputation as a bold and fearless talent.

 

 

 

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A post shared by ･ﾟ: *✧ Chappell Roan ✧*:･ﾟ (@chappellroan)

‘The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess’. went on to be nominated for Album of the Year for the 2025 Grammy Awards, and was followed by the release of her single ‘Good Luck, Babe’, which recounts her experience of falling in love with her best friend.

Speaking to the BBC about the song, Roan said: “It’s a pop song with a sad element to it. It’s very common in queer relationships, when someone is still coming to terms with their queerness, [that] they’ll kiss 100 boys to ‘stop the feeling’, as the song says.”

Her breakout year was capped by a show-stopping performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, where she also won the award for Best New Artist. 

Chappell Roan’s remarkable journey from a small-town Missouri to international acclaim highlights her resilience and dedication to her sound. Her blend of theatrical pop, camp influences, and personal storytelling has firmly established her as one of the most exciting and significant voices in contemporary pop music. Being crowned the winner of the prestigious BBC Sound of 2025 marks the beginning of an exciting year ahead for the iconic singer. 

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In a statement to Rolling Stone, Elton said “David and I are thrilled to gather with friends and supporters once again, and we’re honoured to welcome the bold and authentic Chappell Roan as this year’s performer, whose artistry embodies the power of music to inspire change.”

John’s yearly party is in support of the Aids Foundation, raising funds for research and fighting the stigma around AIDS in the LGBTQ community. Other confirmed co-hosts for the event include Jean Smart, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burkta. Confirmed attendees also include Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, Sharon Stone, Mick Jagger and Sean Penn.

2024 saw a meteoric rise for Chappell, from near obscurity to incredible success. The outspoken songstress has been vocal about the harsher side of fame and extreme fan behaviour, which had many fellow artists sharing their solidarity with her.

Sir Elton has said that he’s spoken to her on Facebook and offered advice on dealing with her sudden fame: “Chappell was a little overwhelmed with her sudden success — although she’d been writing for a long time, it really kind of ballooned very quickly. I just try and calm her down and say, ‘Listen, it’s fine. It’s fine. Do what you want. Don’t listen to anybody. Walk at your own speed. Do not listen to the record company saying, ‘We want another album, we want another album.’ Do it when you’re ready to do it.’”

On Sunday, Elton appeared at the Golden Globes to present the award for Best Original Score alongside Brandi Carlile, taking the opportunity to jokingly reference his recent loss of vision.

“There’s been a lot of stories going around about my regressive eyesight, I just want to reassure everyone: It’s not as bad as it seems. So, I’m so pleased to be here with my cohost, Rihanna,” he joked, while gesturing to his co-presenter Carlile.

Chappell Roan has kicked off the year to a good start, being crowned BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2025. She was picked as the winner by a panel of over 180 musicians and experts, including Sir Elton John himself.

Jack Saunders, host of Radio 1’s New Music show, sung her praises: “No one deserves this accolade more than Chappell Roan. She was the most exciting artist of the last 12 months and is now set to be the artist of the next 12 months.”

BBC Sound of 2025: Barry Can’t Swim is a new dance music superstar https://t.co/9uf6hFyb9A

— BBC Edinburgh & East (@BBCEastScot) January 8, 2025

Scottish DJ and producer, Barry Can’t Swim, born Joshua Mainnie, has captivated audiences with his distinctive blend of jazz, house, and dance music. His musical journey began at age 10 when his grandfather gifted him a piano, sparking a passion that later led him to form bands influenced by acts like The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays. 

Speaking to the BBC about his music inspiration, he said: “[those acts were] some of the first people to really try and create a hybrid of the music that I loved, which was 60s psychedelic rock with more modern electronic music. And that’s exactly what I was trying to do – incorporate the more traditional form of songwriting and melody of 60s music with electronic production.”

Finding inspiration in the club scene during his time at Edinburgh Napier University, he transitioned to electronic music, according to the BBC: “My earliest producing really came from clubbing, really, and going out and just falling in love with dance music that way.” 

 

 

 

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His 2023 debut album, ‘When Will We Land?’, showcases his signature style – a vibrant fusion of electronic, jazz, and world influences with dynamic layers and memorable vocal samples. The album’s success earned him multiple nominations including for the 2024 Mercury Prize and Best Dance Act at the 2024 Brit Awards and positioned him as a standout in the recent surge of dance music acts that has flooded charts. 

Meanwhile, Ezra Collective has claimed the runner-up spot, cementing their status as one of the most innovative voices in modern jazz.

The quintet met through a jazz youth program in London called Tomorrow’s Warriors and is comprised of drummer Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison.Drawing from Afrobeat, Hip-Hop, Grime, Reggae, and R&B, Ezra Collective aims to make jazz more accessible and reflects the genre-defying approach to music present in the new generation of artists. 

Speaking to the BBC, drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso explained: “We’re the shuffle generation. We listen to Beethoven and 50 Cent comes on straight after. That influences the way we approach music: We love jazz but at the same time I love salsa too, so why not try and get that in there?”

We made “Ajala“ for dancing.
Hope you’ve been enjoying the vibes since it dropped.
Stream it here: https://t.co/O8A3CecJZm pic.twitter.com/Z43lXFbTvD

— Ezra Collective (@EzraCollective) May 1, 2024

After their 2016 debut EP, ‘Chapter 7’, and 2019 debut album, ‘You Can’t Steal My Joy’,  the group were about to embark on a tour when the COVID-19 Pandemic disrupted their plans. Despite this, the group used the national lockdown as inspiration and began working towards their second album, ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’, centred around hope for a post-pandemic world. Koleoso recalled to the BBC: “What we found was we had each other. It felt like we were meant to be together, and we made as many tracks as we could that articulate that.”

The album has since gone on to make history as the first jazz act to win the Mercury Prize and was quickly followed by their third album. Innovatively, ‘Dance, No-One’s Watching’, was recorded live at Abbey Road Studios over three days, with an audience comprised of their family and friends.

Through tracks like ‘Ajala’, the project aims to capture the energy and excitement of performing to a live audience. Commenting to the BBC on the inclusion of the audience in the final record, Koleoso said: “There’s a lot of things in the world that don’t feel real enough, but music shouldn’t be one of them.”

The recognition of Barry Can’t Swim and Ezra Collective in the BBC’s Sound of 2025 celebrates the vibrant and genre-blurring creativity shaping modern music. Both acts exemplify the power of blending diverse influences to create something entirely unique.

The winner of the BBC Sound of 2025 will be revealed tomorrow, concluding this year’s celebration of groundbreaking talent.

The Sound of 2025 is an annual poll that highlights the most promising emerging artists with the potential to make a significant impact in the music industry over the coming year. The 2025 longlist, unveiled last year, featured 11 acts, including Chappell Roan, KNEECAP, Pozer, and Ezra Collective. 

Curated by 180 music industry experts, the poll has a reputation for predicting future stars with “the best chance of mainstream success”. Past winners include Adele, Sam Smith, and Michael Kiwanuka, who have all become internationally renowned artists. 

The countdown is being revealed throughout the week, with the announcement of the winner on Friday (January 10). 

Chappell Roan and Ezra Collective on BBC Sound of 2025 list https://t.co/cCUFmwZZvg

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) November 21, 2024

Landing at number five is Leeds-based quartet English Teacher. Known for their bold post-punk sound, the band captivated audiences and critics alike with their Mercury Prize-winning debut album ‘This Could Be Texas’. The record is a vivid exploration of life in northern England and the universality of these experiences, contrasting enduring friendships with the challenges of social issues.

Since their debut single ‘R&B’ in 2021, the group has continued to delve into societal issues through their music and was praised by the Mercury Prize judges for their “winning lyrical mix of surrealism and social observation”, applauding their “fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format.”

Speaking to the BBC, guitarist Lewis Whiting described their creative process as exploratory: “We never really set out with an aim to create something specific. But, that’s the fun part, right? Trying to make something new and interesting.”

Formed at the Leeds Conservatoire, the group’s sound continues to evolve characterised by shifting time signatures and distinct guitar riffs that showcase their unique artistry. Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the band found their footing in 2023.

Lead vocalist Lily Fontaine reflected to the BBC, “I feel like it was only late into 2023 that we really found our confidence.” By which point they were already deep into recording their critically acclaimed debut album. 

As English Teacher prepare to kick off their 2025 Tour, fans are eagerly anticipating what this year has in store for the band.

 

 

 

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In fourth place is singer-songwriter Myles Smith. His breakout hit ‘Stargazing’, became one of the best-selling singles of 2024 and even featured on Barack Obama’s favourite music of 2024. The single describes a moment of human connection, a theme which runs throughout Smith’s discography notably through songs like ‘River’ and ‘Wait For You’. 

Set to receive the BRIT Rising Star Award in March, Smith follows in the footsteps of its past recipients like Sam Fender and Adele. Though his rise to stardom has been rapid, Smith has been a fan of music since he first heard Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ and was inspired to write his own music at age 11.

Reflecting on his early influences, he said to the BBC: “I went through a lot of stages. I was a huge Green Day fan at one point. I even went through a bit of a Screamo phase.” He began to find his own style while playing open mic nights in Luton, performing covers of Ed Sheeran and Marcus Mumford, which have contributed to his unique Folk-Pop style. 

After earning a sociology degree in 2019 and becoming an entrepreneur, Smith began creating music in his spare time. To the BBC, he noted: “I understood quite early on that just because I’m good at something, it doesn’t necessarily mean I’m passionate about it.” But it wasn’t until his viral cover of ‘Sweater Weather’ by The Neighbourhood in 2022 that he pursued music full time. 

Turning to TikTok, he began to release more covers, but it was his original song ‘Solo’ that gained massive traction and landed him a deal with RCA Records. Speaking about the power of social media in the music industry, Smith said: “If your objective is to go viral, then you’re always going to be fighting a losing battle. But if your objective is to establish a community and a place where your music belongs, it becomes a lot more rewarding.”

With his EP ‘A Minute’ now out and preparations for his debut album and upcoming tour underway, Smith is poised for a big year ahead. 

@mylessmithuk You promised a lifetime, but left in a moment… #newmusic #acoustic #singersongwriter ♬ SOLO by Myles Smith – Myles Smith

The Sound of 2025 countdown celebrates the depth and variety of today’s emerging talent. English Teacher’s bold Post-Punk approach and Myles Smith’s heartfelt Folk-Pop set the stage for the remaining three acts, highlighting the diverse creativity of this year’s nominees. With the countdown ongoing, the top three are certain to feature artists destined for groundbreaking success.