Rising star Skye Newman has been unveiled as the winner of the highly coveted BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2026 award, cementing her status as the year's most exciting new musical talent.
A Prestigious Honour for a New Generation
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter, born in south London, expressed profound shock and gratitude upon receiving the news. The award, which began in the year of her birth in 2003, has previously heralded the arrival of global superstars like Adele, Haim, and last year's winners, The Last Dinner Party.
"I'm still in shock that I've won Radio 1's Sound Of 2026," Newman told the BBC. "So many artists that I've listened to over the years have been honoured with the award, and now me. To think that Sound Of started the year I was born, 2003 and now I'm a winner. I'm so grateful."
She credited her team and the BBC for their support on her journey, which has already seen her tour with giants of the industry Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi.
An Impressive Track Record
Newman is far from an unknown quantity. She has already secured a UK Top 5 single with 'Family Matters' and seen four other tracks, including 'Hairdresser FU & UF' and 'Out Out', chart successfully. Her EP, 'SE9 – PT1', reached number 18 on the UK albums chart.
"I can't believe that I've got to this point, it's incredible, surreal, just mental," she remarked to BBC News after her win was announced on Friday, 9 January 2026, by presenter Jack Saunders at Maida Vale Studios.
The Sound of 2026 Top Five
The winner was decided by votes from a panel of over 170 music industry experts and renowned artists, including Sir Elton John, Dua Lipa, Olivia Dean, and Sam Smith. Newman triumphed over a strong field of contenders.
The full top five for Sound of 2026 is:
- Skye Newman (Winner)
- Jim Legxacy (British rapper)
- Sombr (US singer-songwriter)
- Geese (New York indie rock band)
- Royel Otis (Australian indie pop band)
The longlist also featured promising acts like pop singer Alessi Rose, indie band Florence Road, and singer Sasha Keable.
Fans can catch Skye Newman's performance from the Radio 1 Sound Of Live gig on BBC iPlayer, and her full interview is available on the Radio 1 New Music Show Podcast.
