Skye Newman is the new star of Sound of 2026: the winning debut

Skye Newman, 22, became the first winner of the prestigious Sound of 2026 award, traditionally defined by BBC Radio 1. This year, a jury consisting of Sir Elton John, Dua Lipa, Olivia Dean and Yungblud selected her as an influence on Lewis Capaldi's career. Her debut EP, released in the fall, included the hits "Hairdresser" and "Family Matter", which topped the UK charts. "I still don't believe it! - shared Skye. “Grateful that my victory is part of Sound of history, which began in 2003, when I was born.” This award has previously been given to artists such as Adele, Michael Kiwanuka and Haim. In 2026, the top 5 Sound of, in addition to Skye, also included Jim Legxacy, sombr, Geese and Royel Otis.