Friday, December 5, 2025

Leona Lewis’ girl given her purpose in music again

Leona Lewis feels she has a purpose in the music industry again since becoming a mom. The 40-year-old singer...

Latest Posts

Rock star whose band supported Oasis dead at 40

Justin Baren, whose band The Redwalls opened for Oasis, has passed away at age 40. The rock musician was...

Bruno Mars nearly scrapped smash hit Lady Gaga duet Die With A Smile

Bruno Mars nearly pulled the plug on his and Lady Gaga’s hit Die With A Smile. His collaborator, James...

Alex Warren and Gigi Perez unite on new version of Eternity

Alex Warren has joined forces with rising star Gigi Perez to deliver a powerful new rendition of Eternity. The...

Ed Sheeran has ‘one more big tour in me’ before settling down

Ed Sheeran admits he's got "one more big tour in me". The Shape of You hitmaker, 34, is one...

Ellie Goulding joining Octavian at BBC Sound Of 2019 Live

Ellie Goulding is set to perform at BBC Sound Of 2019 Live on January 31 with Octavian.
The ‘Close To Me’ singer received the prestigious honour in 2010, and she will join this year’s recipient and the runners-up Dermot Kennedy, Grace Carter Mahalia and Sea Girls for a performance on the show, which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 1.
Sharing her excitement for the gig, Ellie tweeted: "I’m so excited to be playing at BBC #SoundOf2019 live alongside some incredible new talent. Hope to see you there too! x http://bbc.in/2D9b6xz (sic)"
French-British star Octavian – whose real name is Oliver Godji – became the first rapper in 15 years, when 50 Cent topped the annual poll, to win the title.
Reacting to the news, he said: "That’s lit. I don’t even know how to feel right now … Mum, I made it!"
A panel of 136 music experts, including Radio 1 DJs, artists such as Ellie and 2018’s winner Sigrid came together to narrow down the finalists and pick the overall winner.
Octavian – who released his 2018 mixtape ‘Spaceman’ to critical acclaim in September – has previously been compared to Drake and even received the praise of the ‘In My Feelings’ hitmaker for his dancehall-influenced sound, and he’s vowed to make 2019 a "loud" year for his music.
Octavian said: "I get inspired and I try to make a new sound every day. It’s going to be a very loud year for me. Loads of music, loads of visuals, loads of albums."
King Princess, ‘Why Her Not Me’ hitmaker Grace, slow thai and Rosalía also made the top five.
Dermot, Ella Mai, Flohio, Mahalia
and Sea Girls were also contenders in the longlist.
Annie Mac, who unveiled the winner on her BBC Radio 1 show, commented: "BBC Sound Of is always a wonderful opportunity to get a snapshot of the new music landscape in the UK and this year is really interesting. 6 of the 10 artists are women. And we have two rappers in the top five! I am delighted that UK rap music has got such great placement in the list – Octavian is a truly original and exciting artist, pushing the boundaries of the genre and it’s great to see such a progressive artist getting such a huge accolade."

Latest Posts

Rock star whose band supported Oasis dead at 40

Justin Baren, whose band The Redwalls opened for Oasis, has passed away at age 40. The rock musician was...

Bruno Mars nearly scrapped smash hit Lady Gaga duet Die With A Smile

Bruno Mars nearly pulled the plug on his and Lady Gaga’s hit Die With A Smile. His collaborator, James...

Alex Warren and Gigi Perez unite on new version of Eternity

Alex Warren has joined forces with rising star Gigi Perez to deliver a powerful new rendition of Eternity. The...

Ed Sheeran has ‘one more big tour in me’ before settling down

Ed Sheeran admits he's got "one more big tour in me". The Shape of You hitmaker, 34, is one...

Don't Miss

The Last Dinner Party’s guitarist Emily Roberts reveals how George Harrison inspired her

The Last Dinner Party's Emily Roberts has revealed how late Beatle George Harrison inspired her writing. The 26-year-old...

Jessie J details ’emotional and celebratory years of my life’ on new album Don’t Tease Me With A Good Time

Jessie J has released her long-awaited new album, Don't Tease Me With A Good Time, her first full-length project in almost eight...

JoJo Siwa unwraps new holiday single Message to the World (Little Drummer Girl)

JoJo Siwa is ringing in the festive season with the release of her brand-new holiday single, Message to the World (Little Drummer...

Ronnie Wood leads lineup for Jools Holland’s Hootenanny 2025

Jools Holland’s annual Hootenanny is set to ring in the New Year with a star-studded lineup, led by Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood.

Nikki Sixx ‘proud’ of Vince Neil for having the ‘courage’ to return to stage after stroke

Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx has praised frontman Vince Neil for having the "courage" and determination to return to the stage after suffering...

Stay in touch

To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements.