Jack Garratt wins the BBC Sound of 2016 poll: "This year will be a great one"

Jack Garratt has been named the winner of the BBC Music Sound of 2016. 

The artist-producer finished ahead of the 14 other nominated acts in the BBC's annual list, which polls 140 influential industry experts including critics, bloggers and DJs. 

"Winning the BBC Music Sound of 2016 poll has left me feeling pretty stunned at the end of one of the most emotionally and physically intense years of my life," Jack said. "I cannot thank the BBC enough for their continued support, and everyone who voted for me. Every other name on the list is unbelievably talented, and I hope this year will be a great one for all of us."

London artist-producer wins the BBC's Sound Of 2016 poll on January 8, which tips acts for success in the year ahead. The singer said the win left him "pretty stunned at the end of one of the most emotionally and physically intense years of my life". 

Image: BBC 

Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens added: "Jack Garratt is an incredibly exciting artist. He's influenced by and understands a lot of different genres, from blues to electronica, and through his song-writing and live performances has become something of a phenomenon both live and on record. He has a huge year ahead of him, his music is being heard around the world and he'll release his debut album. He’s a very worthy winner of the Sound of 2016!"

Jack beat competition from Canadian singer Alessia Cara, who finished second, while singer-producer NAO came in third. Five-piece band Blossoms placed fourth, while multi-instrumentalist and West London collective WSTRN tied for fifth. 

Last year he was also named the BRITs Critics' Choice for 2016 - a similar award that tips rising artists for big things in the year ahead. 

The BBC Sound Of list was started in 2003. Winners include Years & Years (2014), Sam Smith (2014), Haim (2013), Adele (2008) and 50 Cent (2003).  

Five things about Jack Garratt

• Buckinghamshire-born Jack already has a rich history with the BBC. His first radio play was from BBC Introducing in Beds, Herts and Bucks. He also won the BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year Award in December at the BBC Music Awards and he played last year’s Radio 1 Future Festival.
  
  
• If you want to catch him live, you better do it soon: last year he played a sold out UK tour and supported Mumford & Sons' UK shows.
  
  
• He originally wanted to be an actor: "[It] was just because I wanted to stand up in front of people so that they had to look at me," he recently told the Evening Standard. "I was in every play that I could get into, reveled in getting lead roles, and obviously I had to show off about it forever."
  
  
• He had an early brush with fame when he was 14, when the first song he ever wrote, The Girl, came last in a Junior Eurovision heat.
  
  
• His debut album, called Phase, will be released on February 19th. 

Watch the video for Jack Garrett's Breathe Life below: