The good news continues for British artists.
Following major chart success at home and internationally in the past year for UK talent including Lola Young, Olivia Dean, Raye, Ed Sheeran, Sleep Token, Sam Fender, Central Cee and Charli XCX, among others, attention is turning to the new crop of artists for the year ahead
BBC Radio 1’s Sound Of 2026 – one of the key new artist platforms – has been counting down its top five acts this week and today reveals Sony Music artist Skye Newman as this year’s winner.
Columbia-signed Newman topped this year’s list after receiving strong backing from a panel made up of industry experts and artists including Elton John, Dua Lipa, Jade, Olivia Dean, Yungblud and Sam Smith.
It’s a significant result as the BBC Radio 1 list is open to international and domestic acts – US star Chappell Roan was the winner last year.
Dipesh Parmar, president of Columbia Records UK, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Skye and everything she’s accomplished to date. Winning BBC Radio 1’s Sound Of 2026 is a remarkable milestone that reflects her talent, vision and hard work after such a groundbreaking year. British music is once again asserting itself as a global powerhouse, and Skye is perfectly placed to lead this new wave.”
British music is once again asserting itself as a global powerhouse, and Skye is perfectly placed to lead this new wave
Dipesh Parmar
US acts in the top five of the Sound Of list this year included Sombr and Geese, along with Australian pop duo Royel Otis. UK artist Jim Legxacy also made the Top 5, while the longlist included Alessi Rose, Chloe Qisha, Kwn and Sasha Keable (all British/UK-based artists) and Irish band Florence Road.
Sound Of… launched in 2003 and over the years winners include 50 Cent, Adele and Haim. Past lists have featured Stormzy, Lady Gaga, Raye, The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and Lewis Capaldi.
Reacting to her victory, Skye Newman said: “I’m still in shock that I’ve won Radio 1’s Sound of 2026! 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 and wouldn’t be where I am without my people and the BBC supporting me on my journey. Thank you!”
The UK singer-songwriter has received support from Radio 1’s Jack Saunders (pictured with Skye Newman) and Sian Eleri, featuring on Radio 1’s New Music Show and Future Artists, and made her Radio 1 Live Lounge debut during Live Lounge Month in October 2025.
Alongside her broadcast success, Newman performed at Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025 in Liverpool, and has shared stages with Ed Sheeran and supported Lewis Capaldi on arena tours.
“Skye Newman is just getting started, but she has already smashed her Live Lounge debut off the back of four Radio 1 playlists this year and an unforgettable performance on the BBC Introducing stage at Big Weekend,” said BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra head of music Chris Price, speaking to Music Week for our new edition out later this month.
Newman has already established a chart presence with Top 5 hits Family Matters (532,342 units to date), along with Top 20 singles Hairdresser (381,304 units) and FU & UF (104,760). Newman’s EP SE9 – Pt1 peaked at No.16 and has consumption to date of 26,069 according to the Official Charts Company. The gold-certified Family Matters finished at No.69 overall in the year-end singles rankings – a strong result for a new UK artist.
Amid an impressive showing from new and established US stars in the UK charts in recent years, British talent is staging a revival. As well as year-end Top 10 singles for Island-signed Lola Young (chart-topper Messy, No.2 overall in 2025 – 1,440,652 units) and Capitol-signed Olivia Dean (chart-topper Man I Need, No.9 – 1,099,756 units in 2025), Dean, Sam Fender, Myles Smith and Chrystal each had multiple entries in the year-end singles Top 50.
Newman’s fellow Sony Music artist Jade had the biggest opening for a debut album in 2025 with That’s Showbiz Baby! (RCA).
Meanwhile, Sienna Spiro has already scored a Top 10 hit with Die On This Hill (Capitol/Method) and she has just performed it on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the US. The track from the British breakthrough artist has cracked the US Hot 100, along with fellow UK acts including Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Raye and EsDeeKid.
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