Who is Ray BLK? BBC Music Sound Of 2017 winner and unsigned soul singer – here’s what we know
The 23-year-old's win is the first time an unsigned artist has achieved the honour
SOUL singer Ray BLK has become the first unsigned act to top the BBC's Sound of 2017 list.
The annual event, aims to predict the most exciting music for the year ahead, with the winner chosen by a panel of 170 DJs, critics and festival bookers.
It has been won in past years by future big names including Sam Smith and Adele.
But as Ray is an unsigned act, music lovers will no doubt want to find out as much about her as possible.
So here's what we know so far.
Who is Ray BLK?
Rita Ekwere, 23, was born in Nigeria and raised in Catford, London and her standout track, My Hood, is a love letter to the area, although it's somewhat bittersweet.
She said of her hometown: "The south east is one of the roughest places in London but it rears the strongest people, and that's what makes us special."
Ray released her first recordings while studying for an English degree at university and worked in an advertising agency to help fund her music career in the early days.
What kind of music does she make?
Ray combines her love of rap, hip-hop and R&B on her songs, while delivering streetwise lyrics with what's been described as a "velvety soul voice".
Her unfiltered honesty wasn't intentional, with Ray admitting in an interview: "I was at a radio station a while ago where someone was playing ’50/50′.
"We were talking about music; I forgot the word he used to describe it but he was basically saying that my music was really forward and out there for a woman.
"It never registered to me that the things that I say in my music are things that maybe you’re not expected to hear from a woman. It’s just something that happened naturally."
How does she feel about her win?
In a word, shocked. She told the BBC: "I can't believe this is happening, It's all just so ridiculous!"
She added she wanted to "empower women to live life as they want".
"There are so many societal pressures on women, on how we should behave, and they're all based on male privilege," she explained.
Why doesn't she have a record deal?
Ray has chosen to work with a company called Kobalt Music Services which provides support like publishing and distribution without tying the musicians into often restrictive contracts.
She explained to the BBC: "I feel as though I need to have my autonomy for now.
"There've been so many artists in 2016 that came out, who did so independently and experienced a lot of success.
"I think there's a new wave of people doing that. The industry is changing."
What are the rules for the list?
The Sound of... list launched in 2003 and acts on the longlist should not be well known - which therefore excludes talent show contestants.
The singers must not have had a UK Top 20 single or album before October 20 2016 - although guest vocalists are eligible.
Jack Garratt won last year and his debut album went on to reach number three in the charts.
Over the years the list has also championed acts including 50 Cent, Haim, Ellie Goulding and Frank Ocean.
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