THE surprising health of British hip-hop is reflected in the BBC’s Sound of 2017 lineup, with urban artists making up half of this year’s longlist.

    Building on the success of grime acts Stormzy, Kano and Skepta — who won this year’s Mercury Prize — newcomers like Ray BLK and Nadia Rose are being tipped for success in the BBC’s annual list.

    Soul singer Rag N Bone Man and rock provocateurs Cabbage also made the cut.

    The list was compiled using tips from a panel of 170 DJs, critics and writers.

    It aims to highlight 15 of the most promising rising musical acts for the coming year. Previous winners include Adele, 50 Cent, Ellie Goulding and Sam Smith.

    Many of this year’s nominees have garnered attention by working outside the traditional music industry.

    Classically trained rapper Dave racked up more than 2 million YouTube plays for his self-released single “Wanna Know,” which was championed, and later remixed, by hip-hop star Drake.

    “I had labels playing deal or no deal like I’m Noel Edmonds,” the 18-year-old rapped on the single “People Know.” But he stuck to his guns and released his current EP, “Six Paths,” on his own label.

    Soul singer Jorja Smith is similarly self-sustaining, filming videos at her aunt’s house and creating her own artwork.

    The longlist also highlights a resurgence in political songwriting, thanks to artists like Declan McKenna, whose recent single “Isombard” lampoons right-wing U.S. news network Fox News.

    The 17-year-old from Hertfordshire previously took aim at Fifa on the song “Brazil,” which laments the destruction of thousands of homes in preparation for the 2016 World Cup.

    Post-punk quartet Cabbage has written songs about Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump, while displaying a streak of dark humor that echoes fellow Mancunian John Cooper Clark.

    International artists on the list include hotly tipped rapper Anderson .Paak, who shot to fame after featuring on Dr Dre’s “Compton” soundtrack last year; and Maggie Rogers, who left Pharrell Williams speechless earlier this year.

    The star producer was asked to critique one of her songs during a master class at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute. But as the song progressed, the stunned look on his face gave way to quiet awe.

    “Wow,” he said. “I have zero notes.”

    A video of their encounter went viral; with the song, “Alaska,” streamed more than 21 million times. Rogers has since signed a deal with Polydor Records.

    Other acts on the longlist include grime artist AJ Tracey, pop singer Raye and straight-talking MC Stefflon Don.

    There are also spots for electro-pop enigma The Japanese House, Reading-based rock band The Amazons and singer-songwriter Tom Grennan, who recently appeared on the Chase & Status single “When It All Goes Wrong.”

    (SD-Agencies)