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gallery: Ones To Watch 2012

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Frank Ocean

Hometown: New Orleans

Story: Singer and rapper, Frank was nominated for the BBC Sound of 2012. With lyrics focusing on social commentary, his mixtape nostalgiaULTRA has been critically acclaimed. He has also written for artists like Beyonce. 

Sounds like: Jason Derulo with attitude

Listen to: Thinking About You

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  • Dot Rotten

    Hometown: South London

    Story: MC and producer on the grime scene, Dot Rotten was originally known as Little Dot before changing his name to reflect a change in musical direction with deeper lyrics. Dot Rotten stands for: Dirty on Tracks, Righteous Opinions Told To Educate Nubians. 

    Sounds like: Tinchy Stryder does gangsta

    Listen to: Keep it On the Low 

  • StooShe

    Hometown: South-East London

    Story: StooShe is a girl group comprised of Courtney Rumbold, Alex Buggs, and Karis Anderson. They debuted in March 2011 with the song “LOVE ME”. Their first official single “HotStepper” sampled classic 90s track Here Comes The Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze. 

    Sounds like: Sugababes meets Amy Winehouse

    Listen to: Betty Woz Ere

  • Frank Ocean

    Hometown: New Orleans

    Story: Singer and rapper, Frank was nominated for the BBC Sound of 2012. With lyrics focusing on social commentary, his mixtape nostalgiaULTRA has been critically acclaimed. He has also written for artists like Beyonce. 

    Sounds like: Jason Derulo with attitude

    Listen to: Thinking About You

  • Maverick Sabre

    Hometown: Born in Hackey, raised in Ireland.

    Story: The Hackney-born Irish musician's debut album, Lonely Are the Brave, is released in February 2012, after his impressive first single Let Me Go climbed into the Top 20 earlier in the summer. The video has since clocked in over three million views on YouTube.

    Sounds like: Plan B

    Listen to: Let Me Go

  • Josh Osho

    Hometown: South London

    Story: His debut single featured Ghostface Killah, his debut album, L.I.F.E, is executive-produced by Wu Tang Clan's RZA, and he was signed by the man behind Amy Winehouse. Clearly people think this boy has something special. 

    Sounds like:  A cooler version of Lemar

    Listen to: Redemption Days

  • Lana Del Rey

    Hometown: New York

    Story: The internet hit Video Games propelled her into the limelight, and she continues to pull out the stops with Born to Die and Off to the Races. Her voice and those pouty lips are already a talking point. 

    Sounds like: A huskier Amy Winehouse

    Listen to: Blue Jeans

  • King Charles

    Hometown: West London

    Story: An indie singer-songwriter, Charles is classically trained and is a dab hand at the guitar, piano and cello. In 2010, he won the International Songwriting Competition by unanimous vote, so he certainly knows how to pen a tune.

    Sounds like: Freddie Mercury

    Listen to: Bam Bam

  • Lianne La Havas

    Hometown: South London

    Story: Nominated for the BBC Sound of 2012, Lianne released her first EP Lost & Found in October 2011 and is currently supporting Bon iver on tour in the US. 

    Sounds like: Corinne Bailey Rae

    Listen to: No Room For Doubt

  • Labrinth

    Hometown: East London

    Story: Riding high in the charts in 2011 both with solo material and with Tinie Tempah, Labrinth already has four Top 5 hits. His debut album is out next year, titled Electronic Earth. 

    Sounds like: Josh Osho, Tinie Tempah

    Listen to: Earthquake

  • Michael Kiwanuka

    Hometown: North London

    Story: With a debut album coming out in March 2012 titled Home Again, Michael will be hoping for big things next year. His music is a fusion of soul and jazz, and is reminiscent of the laid-back 70s. 

    Sounds like: Frank Ocean chilling out, Aloe Blacc

    Listen to: I'll Get Along

  • Emeli Sande

    Hometown: Alford, Scotland

    Story: Winner of the prestigious BBC Critics Choice Award 2012, there will high expectations for Sande next year. An established songwriter, she has written hits for Chipmunk and narrowly missed the top spot with debut single Heaven.

    Sounds like: Massive Attack meets Lauryn Hill. 

    Listen to: Daddy

  • Delilah

    Hometown: London

    Story: Nineteen-year-old Delilah released Go earlier this year, sampling the famous Chaka Khan hit Ain't Nobody. Her most recent single is Love You So. Produced by Ballistiq Beats, Love You So is taken from Delilah's debut EP.

    Sounds like: A more urban Leona Lewis

    Listen to: Love You So

  • Jess Mills

    Hometown: North London

    Story: Jess has spent time working with drum'n'bass aficionado Breakage, and she is currently working on her debut album. It's expected to include her haunting cover of The Cure's A Forest, which has already become a viral hit. 

    Sounds like: A slower, softer, folkier female version of Example

    Listen to: Vultures

  • Daley

    Hometown: Manchester

    Story: Making music in his bedroom since he was a teenager, he first came to promimence with track Rainy Day. Since then, he has provided guest vocals for Gorillaz on track Doncamatic and has been praised for his neo-soul sound. 

    Sounds like: A soulful Justin Timberlake

    Listen to: Game Over

  • Dot JR

    Hometown: Stornoway, Scotland

    Story: Mixing dubstep, drum'n'bass and grime, and a little dash of punk for good measure, Dot JR has an eclectic sound that has been garnering him attention at various festivals and gigs throughout 2011. 

    Sounds like: Example

    Listen to: Electric Eyes

  • Sub Focus

    Hometown: Liverpool

    Story: No stranger to chart success, Sub Focus has already had three No 1's on the UK Dance Chart. The electro producer has also remixed tracks for Dizzee Rascal, The Prodigy and Empire of the Sun. He also produced Example's No 3 hit Kickstarts. 

    Sounds like:  Deadmau5 meets Chase & Status

    Listen to: Flashing Lights
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