SONY RULES BBC SOUND OF 2017 LIST

Jason Iley’s Sony Music U.K. boasts four entries in an urban-led BBC Sound of 2017 list of 15 acts tipped for success next year. David Joseph's Universal U.K. has three acts on the list that’s almost 50% independent—at least for now.

Five finalists will be counted down during the first week of January on BBC Radio 1, culminating with the winner on 1/6. Island’s Jack Garratt was crowned BBC Music Sound of 2016 earlier this year, resulting in a six-year winning streak for UMG thanks to Years & Years, Sam Smith, HAIM, Michael Kiwanuka, Jessie J and Ellie Goulding.

Those from the Sony camp are future Columbia tips Declan McKenna and Rag’N’Bone Man, Relentless rapper Nadia Rose and Insanity act Tom Grennan.

Over at Universal, Polydor has U.S. artist Maggie Rogers and RAYE, while Jim Chancellor’s Fiction imprint gets a mention with The Amazons.

Guy Moot’s Sony/ATV has recent signee Jorja Smith and Stefflon Don, who are both yet to announce label deals. Also amongst independent entries are The Japanese House—a new project from Jamie Oborne’s The 1975 label Dirty Hit—AJ Tracey, U.S. act Anderson .Paak, Cabbage and Ray BLK (Kobalt Records).