主播大秀

The 22 year old from Catford, South London creates her own version of honest rap music that has a unique blend of soulful R&B spirit and candid lyrics. She has already been compared to Lauryn Hill, performed in the 1Xtra live lounge and received support from Radio 1 DJs Huw Stephens and Annie Mac.

Ray was influenced at an early age by Missy Elliott and Timbaland, but it was not until her final year in University studying English Literature that she delved into her catalogue of rough recordings and released her debut project Havisham, a powerful compilation of immersive soulful R&B songs

Her stage surname BLK stands for Building Living Knowing, which she has described as her three main values, and her aim is to connect to fans through her lyrics. At the end of last year Ray released 50/50, a riposte to a hapless boyfriend that secured the singer a spot on 1Xtra’s playlist and a record of the week honour from Radio 1’s Huw Stephens.

Ray BLK says: "Winning the 主播大秀 sound of 2017 has to be the most surprising thing that's happened to me thus far. I feel so honoured to have topped the list this early in my career and join such an incredible alumni of winners. Thank you so much to the 主播大秀 and all the voters! I'm particularly proud to be a part of this years list as it's full of so much talent, some of whom are independent artists like myself which I really hope inspires the next generation of artists."

A longlist of the top 15 artists for the 主播大秀 Music Sound Of 2017 was published in November and the top five acts have been revealed each day this week by Radio 1 DJs MistaJam, Huw Stephen’s, and Clara Amfo on her Radio 1 show.

Hip-hop, blues and soul singer-songwriter Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, was this year’s runner-up, followed in third place by pop musician RAYE, who amazed crowds at the 主播大秀 Introducing stage at The Great Escape 2015. Jorja Smith, a singer-songwriter from Walsall, West Midlands, was fourth on the list, and the multi-faceted female rapper Nadia Rose was in fifth position.

Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens says: “Some artists have that magic about them. I've played everything I've heard from Ray BLK on my 主播大秀 Radio 1 show, and she played a stunning Radio 1 Piano Session for us. She has a real, raw talent that cuts through so strongly. Ray BLK's own songs and collaborations with artists like Stormzy and Wretch 32 have left us all so excited about her as an artist. She is the real deal.”

Chris Price, Head of Music for 主播大秀 Radio 1 & 1Xtra, says: “Huge congratulations to Ray BLK, a phenomenally talented songwriter with her own unique sound. Not only that, Ray is a fantastic live performer, and we were thrilled to welcome her into the 1Xtra Live Lounge, as well as capture her collaboration with Wretch 32 for Radio 1’s Piano Sessions. The 主播大秀 will keep nurturing brilliant new talent like Ray, who has had a really exciting couple of years as an emerging artist and has earned all the success coming her way in 2017 and beyond.”

Around 170 influential music industry experts including DJs, critics and bloggers voted in this year’s list. They were asked to name their three favourite new acts by 主播大秀 News.

Jamal Edwards MBE, founder of SB.TV says: "It's amazing and well deserved that Ray BLK has won this year's 主播大秀 Music Sound Of 2017. I was blown away when I first watched her perform last year at one of my nights; the reaction was brilliant with everyone raving about her songs, style, voice and that she is the whole package. It is a strong start to the year for her to be recognized with such an accolade and I know she's going to have an amazing year ahead so I can't wait to see what's next. She's something special."

The list was started in 2003 and last year’s winner was British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jack Garratt, whose debut album Phase charted at No. 3 in the UK album charts.Previous winners have included synth-pop trio Years & Years, award-winning Adele and Sam Smith, LA pop band HAIM and Ellie Goulding.

Profiles of all 15 artists are available at the .

The full top five:

• Ray BLK
• Rag ‘n’ Bone Man
• RAYE
• Jorja Smith
• Nadia Rose

Also on the longlist (in alphabetical order):

• AJ Tracey
• Anderson .Paak
• Cabbage
• Dave
• Declan McKenna
• Maggie Rogers
• Stefflon Don
• The Amazons
• The Japanese House
• Tom Grennan

EJ

Notes to Editors

• A range of music, video, interviews and biographies from each of the Top 15 acts can also be seen on the 主播大秀 Music Sound Of 2017 website.
• Last year’s winner Jack Garratt was joined in the Sound Of 2016 shortlist by Alessia Cara, NAO, Blossoms, Mura Masa and WSTRN.
• The previous winners are: Years & Years (2015). Sam Smith (2014) HAIM (2013) Michael Kiwanuka (2012), Jessie J (2011), Ellie Goulding (2010), Little Boots (2009), Adele (2008), Mika (2007), Corinne Bailey Rae (2006), The Bravery (2005), Keane (2004) and 50 Cent (2003).
• Other artists in the top five in previous years include Angel Haze and CHVRCHES (2013), Frank Ocean and Azealia Banks (2012), James Blake and The Vaccines (2011), Hurts (2010), Florence and the Machine and La Roux (2009), Duffy (2008), Klaxons (2007), Plan B (2006), Bloc Party (2005), Franz Ferdinand (2004), Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Dizzee Rascal (2003).
• The list was compiled using recommendations from170 influential UK and international tastemakers, who were asked to name their favourite new acts.
• The music experts included radio DJs and producers, festival organisers, music streaming curators, newspaper critics, magazine and website editors and respected bloggers.
• All participants were asked to name their favourite three new acts, who could be performers from any country and any musical genre, whether or not they are signed.
• They cannot have been the lead artist on a UK top 20 single or album before 30 October 2016.
• They must not already be widely known by the UK general public (for example, a member of a hit band going solo or a soap star, a winner of a national talent search show such as X Factor or The Voice in the last three years - ie 2014 onwards).
• Further details of the music experts and how the list was compiled are available on the . 

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