Pop sensation Chappell Roan has been named BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2025, an accolade highlighting music’s most promising rising stars.
The honor marks a triumphant year for the artist, who has surged from obscurity to the top of the charts with her vibrant, 80s-inspired synth-pop style.
The award was decided by a panel of over 180 musicians and experts, including luminaries such as Sir Elton John, Dua Lipa, and Sound of 2014 winner Sam Smith.
Radio 1’s New Music show host, Jack Saunders, praised Roan’s meteoric rise, calling her “the most exciting artist of the last 12 months” and predicting her dominance in the year ahead.
An exclusive interview with the 26-year-old star will be released by Radio 1 and BBC News in the coming weeks.
Born Kayleigh Amstutz in the conservative town of Willard, Missouri, Roan grew up attending church frequently and grappling with restrictive views on sexuality.
Her journey to stardom began in 2017 when a YouTube-uploaded track, “Die Young,” earned her a record deal.
However, early attempts to position her alongside artists like Lorde and Lana Del Rey fell flat, leading to her label dropping her during the pandemic.
Despite the setback, Roan recorded “Pink Pony Club,” a song that became her breakthrough. Inspired by an LA gay club visit, it helped her develop a new sound characterized by campy, liberating energy and singalong choruses.
This transformation also birthed her theatrical stage persona—a “larger-than-life, drag queen version” of herself.
Her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, released in September 2023, initially sold modestly but gained traction following her electrifying Coachella Festival performance.
A viral moment from her set, where she declared, “I’m your favorite artist’s favorite artist,” further solidified her status.
Her follow-up single, “Good Luck, Babe,” drew on personal experiences of unrequited love in queer relationships.
The track’s emotional depth resonated widely, reaching number two in the UK charts. Meanwhile, her album topped the charts after a re-release on vinyl, cementing her position in pop music.
Roan’s ascent has brought critical acclaim, including six Grammy nominations and a Billboard Music Award for Best New Artist in December.
However, fame has also introduced challenges, with the singer addressing inappropriate fan behavior that infringed on her privacy and affected those close to her.
Taking a brief pause to work on new music, Roan is set to headline the Reading & Leeds Festival this summer.
Her win adds her name to an illustrious list of past BBC Sound of winners, including Adele, Ellie Goulding, and 50 Cent.
This year’s runners-up included jazz ensemble Ezra Collective and dance producer Barry Can’t Swim.
Adjustments to the competition rules reflected the evolving music industry landscape, acknowledging the unique hurdles artists face in achieving mainstream success in the streaming era.
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