Rita Ekwere Joins The Ranks Of Adele And 50 Cent As She Tops BBC’s Sound Of 2017 List

BBC’s ‘Sound of…’ is a 14-year-old annual poll where acclaimed music critics and industry figures vote to decide the most promising new music talent for each year.
Musicians like 50 Cent (2003), Adele (2008) and Sam Smith (2014) have had their eventual success (more or less) predicted by this award – and now Nigeria-born UK-based soul singer, Rita Ekwere (known as Ray BLK) has snagged the honour for 2017.




The 23-year-old singer, who has already been dubbed the “Lauryn Hill of the UK” also landed a nomination for best newcomer at the MOBO Awards just last year –

Rita is not only the first Nigerian to win the ‘Sound of…’ award, but she is also the first unsigned artist to do so – chosen by a panel of 170 DJs, critics and festival bookers, including Jamal Edwards, whose SB:TV YouTube channel has helped launch the careers of Dizzee Rascal, Stormzy and Ed Sheeran

Rita recently self-released her debut mini album Durt, featuring collaborations with Stormzy, Wretch 32 and SG Lewis – you can listen to it below, and see why she really is the sound of 2017.



Source: Konbini