FLO named as BBC Radio 1's Sound Of...2023 winners: "We did it!"

With numerous accolades under their belt, Jorja, Stella and Renée seem set for a massive breakout moment this year.

FLO have been named the winner's of BBC Radio 1's Sound Of...2023 poll.

Topping the annual census of over 130 artists and music industry experts, Stella, Jorja and Renée become the first girl group to take on the prestigious title. They beat out Fred again.., Nia Archives, Cat Burns and Gabriels from the shortlist, while the longlist also included Dylan, Piri & Tommy, Asake, Biig Piig and Rachel Chinouriri.

This means that FLO are technically armed and ready for the biggest breakout year possible; last year, they also became the first group to be named as the BRITs Rising Star act for 2023, following in the footsteps of Sam Fender and Adele.

Speaking on the honour, FLO said: "Wow, we did it! To win this accolade not even a year after we released our debut single Cardboard Box is wild. We feel so connected to our British music roots winning BBC Radio 1’s Sound Of and admire the artists who have come before us, especially our gal PinkPantheress winning last year! Thank you to everyone who voted for us and put girl groups back on the map.

MORE: FLO are part of the Official Charts Artists To Watch Class of 2023

"To be recognised for our music and people to believe in our vision inspires us to go further this year! 2023 we’re ready!"

The prospective heirs to Little Mix's crown, FLO only started releasing music during the last year, and gained significant viral coverage with their debut single Cardboard Box, produced by MNEK (The Saturdays, Beyoncé, Zara Larsson).

Since then, the trio have gone on to drop an accomplished debut EP, The Lead, as well as two further standalone singles; the Destiny's Child esque Not My Job and the swooning R&B ballad Losing You.

BBC Radio 1's Official Chart Show host Jack Saunders said in a statement: "This year is one of the strongest long lists we’ve seen in a while. Full of vibrant, creative and exciting artists that want to push the boundaries. Radio 1 continues to champion the innovators and the stars of the future and this list will prove that. FLO are a revelation to the scene and a worthy winner of the sound of list this year."

Previous winners of the Sound Of...poll include last year's victor PinkPantheress, Years & Years and Adele. You can check out the full list of Sound Of...2023 artists as well as the full history of winners below.

The Top 5 BBC Sound Of...2023 artists

1. FLO

2. Fred again..

3. Nia Archives

4. Cat Burns

5. Gabriels

The BBC Sound Of...2023 longlist

Dylan
Piri & Tommy
Asake
Biig Piig
Rachel Chinouriri

Past winners of the BBC Sound Of... poll

2022 - PinkPantheress

2021 - Pa Salieu

2020 - Celeste

2019 - Octavian

2018 - Sigrid

2017 - Ray BLK

2016 - Jack Garratt

2015 - Years & Years

2014 - Sam Smith

2013 - HAIM

2012 - Michael Kiwanuka

2011 - Jessie J

2010 - Ellie Goulding

2009 - Little Boots

2008 - Adele

2007 - Mika

2006 - Corrine Bailey Rae

2005 - The Bravery

2004 - Keane

2003 - 50 Cent

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5th January 2023

Just look at the success of the past winners! Barely any have any success their 4th album or later, even among those who've had the time to record their 4th if their career was going well enough to allow them to record it. Of the ones too new to have released a 4th album, almost all have struggled to trouble the chart compilers. In 20 years, I'd argue BBC's 'Sound Of' has found just 2 acts with significant long-term success (Adele, Sam Smith), and one of those is practically retired due to the success of the aforementioned 4 albums (most recently '30').