British soul musician Michael Kiwanuka has been named the winner of the BBC’s 2012 Sound Of… poll.
After a series of EP releases last year, Kiwanuka is due to release his debut album ‘Home Again‘ on March 23rd, and has said on his triumph: “It’s very encouraging for some of my music to be noticed and considered as something worth listening to. I think it’s every musician’s dream to have any sort of recognition for their art, something that is so personal. This is something that I don’t take for granted.”
This year’s Sound Of… longlist was revealed last month, but received criticism in some quarters for its failure to recognise independent artists.
After its initiation in 2003, winners of the BBC’s annual poll have included the likes of Adele, Keane and Ellie Goulding, while last year’s winner, Jessie J, went on to enjoy the biggest selling debut in the UK of 2011.