BBC Music Sound of 2017 longlist revealed: Jorja Smith, Anderson Paak and more

The future of music has been revealed: according to votes cast by 170 international industry figures, solo stars – ranging from rap and grime MCs, soul singers and DIY producers – are going to be prevalent in 2017.

Next year’s longlist includes 15 rising acts and was assembled by music experts, including critics, broadcasters and DJs. For the first time, the panel also included international pundits.

2017’s list includes grime MCs AJ Tracey, rappers Nadia Rose and Stefflon Don, soul singer Jorja Smith, contemporary blues artist Rag ‘n’ Bone Man and rapper and producer Dave. In among the less familiar names is Anderson Paak, Dr Dre’s protege who released his acclaimed second album earlier this year. Another is American producer and songwriter Maggie Rogers, who rose to fame earlier this year after a video of an amazed Pharrell Williams listening to her music in a masterclass went viral. Rock and indie acts remain minimal, however, with Cabbage and The Amazons the only two guitar groups featured.

“The BBC Music Sound of 2017 longlist shows that next year is already shaping up to be a big one filled with amazing music from homegrown talent that are already being supported across Radio 1 and 1Xtra,” said MistaJam, BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ . “From the driving rock of The Amazons to Dave’s 18-year-old inner city street tales via Maggie Rogers’ folk meets electronic soundscapes, the list shows the breadth and quality of what we can expect next year.”

The top five will be revealed in January on BBC Radio 1, with one artist announced each day from Monday 2 January. Previous winners include Sam Smith, Haim, Ellie Goulding and Adele. This year’s winner will be unveiled on 6 January on Clara Amfo’s show.

The poll, now in its 13th year, was topped last year by British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jack Garratt. Listen to a Spotify playlist of the featured artists below:

The BBC Music Sound Of 2017 long list in full:

· AJ Tracey

· Anderson Paak

· Cabbage

· Dave

· Declan McKenna

· Jorja Smith

· Maggie Rogers

· Nadia Rose

· Rag ‘n’ Bone Man

· Ray BLK

· Raye

· Stefflon Don

· The Amazons

· The Japanese House

· Tom Grennan

• Read the Guardian’s Future 50 feature: featuring Jorja Smith, Cabbage and more