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

The soulful songwriter recognised for her “art of weaving narratively compelling lyrics into a melodically cathartic soundscape” trained as a classical vocalist before honing her skills in jazz at Trinity Laban, the top-class, Greenwich-based conservatoire home to  leading jazz and jazz fusion talent including bands Ezra Collective and Kokoroko, musician and saxophonist, Nubya Garcia and vocalist, Cherise.

Camille spoke with Mxdwn about the inspiration for the song stating “This tune focuses on the transition from lovers to friends.… but with the addition of all the emotional baggage and painfully precious memories”. The track’s introspective lyrics are beautifully told with Rose’s clean and melancholy vocals, encapsulating happy memories of a lost relationship. This is further enhanced by the grooving rhythm section, deeply felt horn lines and lush, layered backing vocals.

Regarding how the song came about, Rose mentions that “the track was spontaneously recorded during a 7-piece band session and reworked in production, resulting in that warm, generous, more-ish sound.” This easy-going writing style seems to be a pattern for the South London songbird whose previous work has been described as a “mellifluously rich soundscape that flows with such ease and finesse”.

Hear the latest single on Spotify:

The artist explores nuances in jazz, soul, R&B, funk and blues and takes influence from huge musical icons such as Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone and Stevie Wonders. Once listening to the new single, it is clear to see the impression these classic vocalists have had on the up-and-coming singer.

After the release of her debut mini-EP “Raining in July” two years ago, the emerging singer has been featured on BBC Sounds, played at Priory Live Festival and performed as both band-leader and frontwoman at dynamic new community-based jazz venues such as MAP Studio Cafe and Avalon Cafe as well as within jazz ensembles and small bands as an improviser.

Watch Camille’s live session of “Raining in July” here:

Camille now performs regularly all over London hosting a weekly jazz residency on Saturday nights with guitarist Ed Coma at Cable Cafe, Oval. Other notable venues include Pasta Nostra, Old Street and BeBeMe, Mayfair. She speaks to Mxdwn about her experience with performing live: “I feel lucky that I can make people happy with my voice – get them to stop in the street, enter a bar or cafe, get them to smile, get them to kiss their partner or dance with their friends- and that’s such a blessing and validation for me and my work”. 

Lots more is on the way for this jazz songbird. You can buy Camille’s music on Bandcamp here.