Rag ‘n’ Bone Man has made it onto the BBC Music Sound of 2017 longlist.
The 31-year-old singer – real name Rory Graham – has been named as one of 15 artists to make it onto the broadcaster’s list of acts who have been tipped to make it big, with the hopes of being crowned the overall winner when the top five names are announced at the start of next year.
For Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, the nomination comes after his 2016 single ‘Human’ – which was recently covered by Emily Middlemas on UK talent competition ‘The X Factor’ – peaked at number one on music charts in Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and Germany.
Other names to make the longlist for the award – which has a reputation for crowning winners who have gone on to be huge successes – include singer-songwriter Declan McKenna, rock band The Amazons, and punk band Cabbage.
‘In My Mind’ rockers, The Amazons have had an exceptional year having been recognised by the prestigious Q Awards with a nomination for Best Breakthrough Act.
The winner, who will be crowned on January 6 on BBC Radio 1, will join previous winners such as Years & Years (2015), Adele (2008), and 50 Cent (2003).
The top five acts will be announced each morning from January 2, with one act announced per day counting down to the big reveal of the winner on January 6.
The BBC Music Sound Of 2017 long list in alphabetical order:
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