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Fifteen of music's most exciting rising stars have been named on the longlist for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Sound of 2011.

The list was compiled using recommendations from more than 160 influential UK tastemakers, who were asked to name their favourite new acts.

The Sound of 2011 winner and top five will be unveiled in January.

Ellie Goulding came top of last year's list. Other winners in the list's nine-year history include Little Boots, Adele, Mika, Corinne Bailey Rae and 50 Cent.

The Sound of 2011 final longlist in alphabetical order:

Anna Calvi
Clare Maguire
Daley
Esben & The Witch
Jai Paul
James Blake
Jamie Woon
Jessie J
Mona
Nero
The Naked & Famous
The Vaccines
Warpaint
Wretch 32
Yuck

The up-and-coming artists on this year's longlist range from singer-songwriters Anna Calvi, Daley and Clare Maguire to pop starlet Jessie J and London grime MC Wretch 32.

Cutting-edge producers and vocalists also feature heavily. James Blake, Nero, Jai Paul and Jamie Woon have been backed after fusing dubstep and pop with influences from soul to drum and bass.

Rock bands Mona and The Vaccines are named along with guitar groups Esben and the Witch, Warpaint and Yuck.

New Zealand five-piece The Naked & Famous, with a synth-rock sound, are also on the longlist.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Sound of… list is run by and aims to highlight the best new music.

For the first time ever, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 1 will have the exclusive radio announcement of the longlist and winner of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sound of 2011, one of the most anticipated events of the year.

Sound of 2011 announcements will also be made simultaneously on the and . Users of Twitter can tweet about the announcement using the hashtag #so2011

Profiles of all 15 artists will be available at Sound of 2011 website.

The Sound of 2011 winner as well as the top five will be revealed in early January.

George Ergatoudis, Head of Music, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 1 and 1Xtra, said: "There are many lists of hotly tipped acts, but I believe the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Sound of... list now stands out as the definitive one, thanks to the rigour applied to its compilation and its comprehensive range of contributors including taste-makers from radio, TV, newspapers, magazines and online.

"Over the years it has helped music fans discover some fantastic artists and while some have disappeared without a trace there have also been notable successes including Dizzee Rascal, Keane, the Kaiser Chiefs, Plan B, Adele and Florence And The Machine, to name just a few."

One pundit, Mark Sutherland, Global Editor, Billboard, said: "Unlike previous years, there are few dead certs when it comes to predicting what will be big in 2011, and this eclectic list reflects that. 2010 was heavily dominated by pop, dance and R&B and while the likes of Jessie J and James Blake will help keep those scenes buoyant next year, it's great to also see some strong indie/alternative acts like Warpaint and the Naked & Famous emerge as contenders."

Notes to Editors

Any use of information in this release must credit "³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Sound of 2011"

Twitter hashtag: #so2011

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Sound of... list is now in its ninth year.

The top five will be revealed in the week commencing 3 January. One act from the top five will be featured on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ News website and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sound of 2011 website every day that week, while ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 1 will broadcast sessions and interviews with the acts.

Last year, Ellie Goulding was joined in the Sound of 2010 top five by Marina and the Diamonds, Delphic, Hurts and The Drums.

The previous winners are: Little Boots (Sound of 2009), Adele (Sound of 2008), Mika (Sound of 2007), Corinne Bailey Rae (Sound of 2006), The Bravery (Sound of 2005), Keane (Sound of 2004) and 50 Cent (Sound of 2003).

Other artists in the top five in previous years include Florence and the Machine and La Roux (Sound of 2009), Duffy and the Ting Tings (Sound of 2008), Klaxons (Sound of 2007), Bloc Party (Sound of 2005), Franz Ferdinand (Sound of 2004) and Dizzee Rascal (Sound of 2003).

The list was compiled using recommendations from more than 160 influential UK taste-makers, who were asked to name their favourite new acts.

The taste-makers included radio DJs and producers, TV presenters and producers, newspaper critics, magazine and website editors and respected bloggers.

All participants were asked to name their favourite three new acts, who could be performers from any country and any musical genre.

They must not have had a UK top 20 single or album by 14 November 2010 and must not already be famous, for example by featuring in the final stages of a TV talent show or already being a member of a successful band.

Further details of the taste-makers and how the list was compiled is available on the website.

A specialist DJ takeover, free music concerts and the countdown of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sound of 2011 will be just some of the exciting content coming this January on Radio 1, when the station takes listeners on a journey to discover new music in the New Year.

PH