Aliyah Otchere
Pa Salieu has been named as the winner of the BBC's annual Sound Of poll. The rapper, who dropped his debut album Send Them To Coventry in 2020, was picked by a panel of 160 music industry figures as this year's most promising new act.
The 2021 longlist was rolled out in December and featured the U.K. rapper alongside eventual runners-up; singer-songwriters Holly Humberstone, BERWYN, Greentea Peng, and GRIFF. Also on the longlist were indie band The Lathums, rappers Bree Runway and Dutchavelli, plus Alfie Templeman and girl in red.
Speaking to the BBC, Pa Salieu said: “I was just really happy to even be included on the list alongside some amazing artists, a few of who I know personally. They’re all crazy talented, so to be the winner of something like this so early in my journey just feels mad."
The BBC Sound poll has previously been won by artists including Adele, Sam Smith, and Haim. Last year's winner was soul singer Celeste. She finished ahead of YUNGBLUD, Arlo Parks and Beabadoobee.