the sound of 2024 longlist is here ✨

a selection of the artists will be performing at maida vale studios on monday 8th january 2024. if you want to be there, register now: https://t.co/O2HAQ3FGLx pic.twitter.com/tdHSIJiiJI

— BBC Radio 1 (@BBCR1) December 4, 2023

 The top ten acts are (in alphabetical order): Ayra Starr, Caity Baser, CMAT, Elmiene, Kenya Grace, The Last Dinner Part, Olivia Dean, Peggy Gou, Sekou and Tyla. From January 1, 2024, a countdown will kick off across Radio 1, counting down the top 5. The number one spot will be revealed live on Radio 1 on Friday, January 5.

It’s very hard to not be grateful ! I’m filled with so much joy and gratitude! Thank you too all my starrs , I see all your messages on me being your top artist , I’m so glad to be doing this life thing with you and that my music brings you peace and joy ! Ayra mob we just… pic.twitter.com/7N3TnyyNk7 — Celestial being (@ayrastarr) December 1, 2023

Head of Radio 1, Chris Price spoke of his excitement about the gender dynamic on the list, mentioning “With so many female artists on the Sound Of list this year, I’m really encouraged about the next generation of festival headliners. The list is as diverse as ever, reflecting the genre-agnostic nature of BBC Radio 1, which has supported every single one of the acts on the longlist. 2024 promises to be a great year for new music!”

The countdown of the Top 5 will kick off across Radio 1 on January 1st, 2204. The winner will be revealed live on Radio 1 during a special broadcast on Friday, January 5th. An event will be hosted at Maida Vale by Radio 1 called ‘BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2024 Live’ on January 8 2024. There is an application for tickets which is now open on the BBC Show And Tour website – see here for details.

The competition dates back two decades, with the first BBC Sound of in 2003! Among the success stories, boasts Ellie Goulding, 50 Cent, Sigrid and last year’s winner, girl group, FLO.

BRIT School alumna, Olivia Dean has also been named ‘BBC Introducing Artist of the Year’ live on-air, after the ‘secret’ award was announced unknowingly to Ladies Room’ singer, Olivia in an interview with presenter Jess Iszatt. The artist humbly accepted the award, thanking the emerging talent organisation BBC Introducing for all their support. She commented “Thank you so much for all the support over the years BBC Introducing! You are such an important and valuable platform for up-and-coming musicians. From my very first gig at the Lexington until now – poof crazy! So excited to be your artist of the year!!”

i won @bbcintroducing artist of the year !!
wow @jjiszatt thank u for being there from the beginning ❤️ https://t.co/5hSRHCy1J3

— Olivia Dean (@oliviadeano) November 28, 2023

Martin Österdahl, the Executive Supervisor of the ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ took to his personal Instagram page to share the news via a post.

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A post shared by Martin Österdahl (@martinosterdahl)

Martin Österdahl shared a statement on the show’s official website, expressing his excitement for the show to be shared with the US.

“For 65 years the Eurovision Song Contest has connected people far and wide. As owners of this hugely successful format, we have seen how it has found a place in millions of hearts across Europe and beyond. Now we are excited to have found the perfect partners to share this unique competition and its passionate celebration of music and original songs with the American people.”

The format in which made the competition so loved and famous will remain mainly the same as the original show, the US version will consist of live performances and will feature representatives from all 50 states, 5 US territories and the country’s capital city, Washington D.C. Much like the original European show, all will compete to win the ‘Best Original Song’, determined by a voting system. The show will not just count fan and viewer votes, but the show will also take into account the opinion of a jury full of music industry professionals.

The representative from each state or location, whether they be a solo artist, band, duo or DJ will perform and compete with their original song, the original song must embody and acknowledge different musical practices and genres in which make up America. All representatives will compete in the live musical tournaments, consisting of three rounds which make up the Qualifying Rounds, they will then compete in the Semi-Finals and finally the Ultimate Grand Final, the point in the competition in which the winner will be crowned.

The new version of the contest, entitled ‘The American Song Contest’, will be co-produced by Propagate and Universal Television Alternative Studio. Partnering up with the co-producers are four producers who have over 20 Eurovision Song Contests between them and who obtained the American format rights for the new American contest from the EBU. These producers are Anders Lehnoff, Peter Settman, Christer Björkman and Ola Melzig. Also working on the new show is American media conglomerate, NBC. The network is known for its varied list of shows including such series as ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ and the ‘Real Housewives’ franchise.

Jenny Groom, the Executive Vice President of Unscripted Content at NBC Universal Television and Streaming, also shared a statement of excitement and pride.

“American Song Contest combines the competitive spirit of rooting for your home team along with epic performances that will introduce viewers to the musical cultures that make up America. We are excited to showcase the universal power of music in a spectacular multi-week live musical event.”

No official airing date has been given as of yet, but applicants may be eligible to apply soon.

Introducing all 33 of Radio 1’s new Christmas Presenters Class of 2020!

Congratulations to all of you!

Thank you to everyone who submitted a demo, we again had 1,100 entries. I’m sorry if this year wasn’t yours but let’s see what 2021 brings! https://t.co/XWtbtajS2X

— Aled Haydn Jones (@ahj) December 3, 2020

Will Kirk, who works in marketing from Sheffield, is amongst the lucky 33 to be chosen for this exciting opportunity. Will, 22 has a profound hearing loss in both ears and wears hearing aids. He will be fronting the Radio 1 Drum and bass show and will be radio 1’s first hard-of-hearing DJ. He told BBC News, “I got my first hearing aid at 11 months old. It’s something I’ve always known, that’s always been a part of me. I like to make a good joke because I can’t change it so I might as well make people laugh about it.”

Will intends to inspire others with hearing difficulties to follow in his footsteps. He talks to BBC News about his hobby and encourages other’s to do the same by saying, “To come up and have DJing as a hobby when you are deaf just seems like a ridiculous combination – but just go for it. I’m sure anybody that’s disabled will say you can find a way to get things done and don’t let anything pull you down – including yourself. Don’t pull yourself down about anything, just go out there and do it.” 

Jevanni Letford, a previous lawyer from East London, moved into a career in radio and music and is now the official tour DJ for KSI . She will cover Rickie, Melvin and Charlie’s show.  Danny Diston from Cornwall, works as a teaching assistant in a school for special educational needs and will front Radio 1’s life hacks. Metro reported Nels Hylton, who will be the first black presenter to host Radio 1’s Rock Show to of said, “It’s really humbling to be selected as part of Radio 1’s Christmas line-up, even more so to be the first Black broadcaster to present the Radio 1 Rock Show. I can’t wait to host the show and prove that rock music is for everybody.”

The presenters that have been chose from the student and community radio include DJ and YouTuber Shay Sade, from no signal radio Dean McCullough and previous volunteer for Wandsworth radio, Bolton FM and Gaydio, Ellen Macleod. Ellen is currently at the University of Salford and has mobility difficulties. She manages the student radio and co-hosts a podcast with two friends. There are sure to be many tuning in to the emerging talent, who will be entertaining us with their talent over the festive period.

List of presenters 

Alex West, 22, from Reading, and Numi Gildert, 26, from Macclesfield (The Official Chart on Radio 1)
Cal Carthy, 25, from Hertfordshire (Radio 1 Dance)
Connor Coates, 27, from Belfast (Radio 1’s Dance Anthems)
Dan Alani, 29, from Birmingham (Radio 1’s Future Sounds)
Danni Diston, 23, from Cornwall, and Sam MacGregor, 22, from Maidenhead (Radio 1’s Life Hacks)
Darcy Kelly, 20, from Jersey (Radio 1 Anthems)
Dave Treacy, 39, from Dublin (Danny Howard)
Dean McCullough, 28, from Belfast (Radio 1 Anthems)
DJ Davda, 21, from London (Radio 1’s Soundsystem)
DJ Nate, 31, from Ealing (Boxing Day afternoon on 1Xtra)
Ellen Macleod, 20, from Bolton (The Happy Hour from Radio 1)
Emily Pilbeam, 23, from Leeds (BBC Introducing on Radio 1)
James Cusack, 33, from Manchester (Radio 1 Anthems)
Jess Iszatt, 29, from Hertfordshire (Radio 1’s Chillest Show)
Jevanni Letford, 31, from London (Rickie, Melvin and Charlie)
Kerrie Cosh, 29, from Northamptonshire (Radio 1 Anthems)
Laurie Charlesworth, 27, from Leicester (Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show)
Mo Ayoub, 26, from London (Benji B)
Nels Hylton, 24, from London (Radio 1’s Rock Show)
Nikki Tesla, 26, from Birmingham (Annie Nightingale)
Rakeem Omar, 28, from Birmingham (Radio 1 Anthems)
Rebekah Walker, 26, from London (Radio 1 Anthems)
Robyn Richford, 28, from Glasgow (Radio 1 Anthems)
Sarah Gosling, 27, from Devon (Radio 1’s Future Artists)
Sarah Story, 31, from Carlisle (Radio 1’s Dance Party)
Shay Sade, 26, from Kingston (Radio 1’s Future Sounds)
Shivani Dave, 25, from Swindon (Radio 1 Anthems)
Spin-Milz, 20, from Chingford (The 1Xtra Takeover)
Vicky Hawkesworth, 24, from Bolton (Radio 1 Anthems)
Victoria Jane, 22, from Manchester (The 1Xtra Takeover)
Will Kirk, 22, from Sheffield (Guest mix for Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show)