Sounding off 2012

The BBC’s Sound of 2012 longlist was announced this week, already kicking up controversy for mainly featuring a predictable raft of artists already signed to major labels with Alison Wenham of AIM deeming it “completely meaningless”.

Out of the 15 artists on the list put together by 180 industry insiders and tastemakers, only ‘Friends’ are signed to an independent label, Lucky Number. The remaining 14 of the hip-hop heavy list are signed to various majors or their subsidiaries, including Warner Brothers, Columbia, Island and Mercury.

Speaking to NME yesterday, Wenham said: "I think it's very inconsequential because, even going back years, this list has not proven to be particularly accurate”

Wenham continued, saying: “I think they're completely meaningless. The independents will do what they do, and I'm not all that bothered about these sorts of polls”.

Previous winners have included Little Boots, Adele and Jessie J in 2011, whose album ‘Who you are’ became the biggest selling debut of the year. However, the largely anonymous media behind the list have made some major misjudgements over the years as well. Mona anyone? Daisy dares you? The Twang? Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, who were so fleetingly hip that they split up before they had even formed (or at least didn’t get around to releasing a debut album).

That said, the previous lists have got it more right than wrong, proving at least that the list captures what is likely to have marketing spend behind it, which is exactly Wenham’s point. It's interesting that guitar music isn’t really represented, other than the dreary Spector, destined to disappear quicker than you can say "Jing Jang Jong".

George Ergatoudis, Head of music at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, said: "The Sound of 2012 will be the 10th year of predictions compiled by BBC News - a project now established as the definitive annual list of exciting new artists to watch out for. The list will inspire debate for sure, but most importantly, it will lead to discovery of artists and musicians trying to stand out from the ever-expanding crowd, and that can only be a good thing."

The eventual winner will be announced in January and you can find out more about the Sound of 2012 here.

The longlist is:

• A$AP Rocky
• Azealia Banks
• Dot Rotten
• Dry The River
• Flux Pavilion
• Frank Ocean
• Friends
• Jamie N Commons
• Lianne La Havas
• Michael Kiwanuka
• Niki & The Dove
• Ren Harvieu
• Skrillex
• Spector
• Stooshe

What are your thoughts? In the era of influential bloggers and soundcloud, is this list even relevant, other than as an indication of which major label acts might be commercially successful in the next year? Is the list truly representative of new music throughout the UK?