Pop singer Skye Newman has won BBC Radio 1's Sound of 2026, the BBC announced today. The award caps a remarkable year for the 22-year-old, which included invitations to tour with Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi. Sir Elton John has also praised Newman, calling her "incredibly talented."
Newman's victory marks her as the 24th winner of the BBC's annual poll, a recognized indicator of future success in pop music. Previous winners include Adele, PinkPanthress, The Last Dinner Party, and Haim.
"I can't believe that I've got to this point," Newman told BBC News. "It's incredible, surreal, just mental."
Newman, who was born in south-east London, gained prominence last year when her debut single, "Hairdresser," entered the top 20. Her follow-up, "Family Matters," reached number five in June, making her the first female artist since Ella Henderson in 2014 to have their first two singles in the top 20.
Newman's music is known for its raw emotion and honesty. Her songs, filled with lyrics about betrayal, loss, and disorder, are delivered through her expressive voice. "It's literally the story of my life," she says. "It's my way of letting out any trauma and pain that I couldn't speak."
