On the brink of global fame

Born to Ugandan immigrant parents in London, Kiwanuka makes it to the top of the BBC ‘Sound of 2012’ list which was compiled using tips from 184 influential tastemakers, who each named their favourite three new acts. 

A British Ugandan singer, Michael Kiwanuka, has come top of the BBC Sound of 2012 list, which aims to showcase the best rising music stars for the year ahead.

As a result, it has been announced that Kiwanuka, who mainly sings soul music, has been included on the shortlist for MTV’s ‘Brand New for 2012’, the network’s search for the best in new music worldwide.

With a voice that has been compared to acclaimed 70s/80s American soul/R&B singer Bill Withers, the 24-year-old whose music has been described “Like a lazy autumn Sunday afternoon Kiwanuka’s music is full of laid back, effortless beauty and deserves to be cherished”, has already supported top selling British act Adele.

The list was compiled using tips from 184 key UK-based music magazine editors and newspaper critics to respected bloggers, DJs and radio and TV producers.  Now in its tenth year , the tastemakers’ choices could be performers from any country and any musical genre.

Kiwanuka cites influences ranging from Otis Redding (a legendary American soul singer/song writer considered one of the major figures in soul music and R&B); American musical great Bob Dylan to American jazz musician, trumpeter, and composer, Miles Davis.

He started out his music career as a session guitarist, working with international Nigerian-UK rapper, Tinie Tempah’s producer Labrinth, before stepping in front of the microphone and signing to the Communion label, which was set up by British folk rock band, Mumford and Sons’ Ben Lovett.

“I never expected to be recognised in this way. It’s a great surprise and it means a lot that people are accepting the music they’ve heard so far, and it will bring the music to many more people, which for any musician is a great privilege,” Kiwanuka told BBC.

Kiwanuka came ahead of US R&B singer Frank Ocean, who has worked with internationally accliamed American rappers Kanye West and Jay-Z and was at number two on the list. New York rapper, Azealia Banks was in third place, followed by high-octane dance DJ and producer, Skrillex at four and Swedish electronic duo, Niki & The Dove, in fifth place. 

David Smyth, chief rock and pop critic of the London Evening Standard, who took part, said: “I picked Michael because his music really grabbed me when I first heard him last summer.” He added, “Paul Butler of The Bees produced his song Tell Me a Tale, giving it a vintage psychedelic soul feel. It was an unusual backdrop for such a rich, warm voice.”

Jessie J who came top of the Sound of 2011 list went on to sell 805,000 copies of her album Who You Are - the most successful debut for a British artist last year.

Previous winners
Ellie Goulding (Sound of 2010),
Little Boots (Sound of 2009),
Adele (Sound of 2008),
Mika (Sound of 2007),
Corinne Bailey Rae (Sound of 2006),
The Bravery (Sound of 2005),
Keane (Sound of 2004) and
American rapper, 50 Cents (Sound of 2003)

Artists in the top five in previous years
Hurts (Sound of 2010),
Florence and the Machine (Sound of 2009),
Duffy (Sound of 2008),
Klaxons (Sound of 2007),
Plan B (Sound of 2006),
Bloc Party (Sound of 2005) and
 Franz Ferdinand (Sound of 2004)

Adapted from BBC.com