Octavian wins BBC Sound Of poll 2019
Octavian has won the BBC Sound Of poll, beating King Princess, Ella Mai and more to the top slot.
The Black Butter-signed artist dropped his ‘Spaceman’ mixtape this year, marking him out as one of the UK’s sharpest rap talents.
He joins artists who’ve previously earned the title including Adele, Sam Smith and Haim, and becomes the first rapper to win since 50 Cent topped the list in 2003.
Famously tipped by Drake, the 23-year-old artist won over a panel of 136 music industry mainstays including Radio 1 DJs and artists from last year’s winner Sigrid to former nominees Stormzy and Ellie Goulding.
The genre-fusing artist became homeless after being kicked out of school, telling the BBC how one year ago he had no money.
Last year, we tipped him as one of 12 MCs that will dominate 2018, alongside Big Zuu and Flohio.
The BBC Sound Of shortlist in full:
1. Octavian
2. King Princess
3. Grace Carter
4. slowthai
5. Rosalía
