Emerging new talent such as Dry The River, Frank Ocean and Spector have been included on the initial long list for the BBC’s annual Sound Of countdown.
The influential list is compiled by a panel of over 160 music journalists and experts, and aims to highlight some of the brightest new acts around who are tipped to have a big 12 months ahead of them.
Over the coming weeks, the list will be whittled down before a top five and eventual winner is announced early next year.
The poll was initiated in 2003, when rapper 50 Cent was named the winner ahead of now established rock acts such as Interpol and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Last year, Jessie J was placed at number one, and has subsequently gone on to enjoy the biggest selling debut album of 2011.
BBC Sound of 2012 Longlist:
A$ap Rocky
Azealia Banks
Dot Rotten
Dry The River
Flux Pavillion
Frank Ocean
Friends
Jamie N Commons
Lianne La Havas
Michael Kiwanuka
Niki & The Dove
Ren Havrieu
Skrillex
Spector
Stooshe