The Sound of 2012
Velvet takes a close-up look at this year’s BBC music prediction following the Sound Of Music poll
While the BBC’s annual ‘Sound Of...’ poll is by no means a surefire barometer for gauging future success, 24 year old soul singer Michael Kiwanuka will no doubt be delighted by his position at number one in this year’s poll.
Previous high-profile winners include 50 Cent, Keane and more recently last year’s victor Jessie J, although the likes of The Bravery and Little Boots have proved that topping the poll is hardly a guarantee for superstardom.
Kiwanuka is something of a surprise winner, the British born singer having topped the list ahead of several more established talents – the most notable being American singer songwriter Frank Ocean and controversial dubstep producer Skrillex, who came in at numbers two and four respectively.
The 24 year old’s debut E.P Home Again is set for release in March of this year and has been compared to Otis Redding and Bob Dylan among others, neither being entirely unfair comparisons for a record that oozes laid back charm.
Despite being largely unknown till recently, last weeks victor has already flirted with the mainstream having appeared on tour with Adele and worked as a session guitarist for Tinie Tempah’s producer Labrinth.
Kiwanuka is perhaps a brave choice from the BBC though, his soft, folk-tinged style not being one that is currently fashionable in the UK charts.
Despite this, it does share some telling similarities with the platinum selling British group Mumford and Sons - a sign that UK audiences may be more receptive to the genre than appearances might suggest.
With the current trend leaning overwhelmingly towards flashier, more heavily produced artists however, Kiwanuka may find his search for mainstream acceptance something of an uphill one.
Article by Josh Tait
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