FLO NAMED BBC SOUND OF 2023

Island R&B trio FLO has been crowned BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023. The victory is the second in short succession for FLO, which won the BRITs Rising Star Award in December.

Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma and Renee Downer were selected for the honor by a panel of more than 130 industry experts and artists, including Elton John, Dua Lipa, Celeste and Sam Smith.

In a joint statement, FLO said of the win: "We feel so connected to our British music roots winning BBC Radio 1's Sound Of... Thank you to everyone who voted for us and put girl groups back on the map. To be recognized for our music and for people to believe in our vision inspires us to go further this year! 2023, we're ready."

FLO released its debut EP, The Lead, in summer 2022 to critical acclaim. It has since amassed more than 70m global streams. The three-piece said on Twitter this month that a remix of Stormzy's “Hide and Seek” featuring FLO is "coming soon.”

RCA act Cat Burns, Atlantic producer Fred again.., Island signing Nia Archives and Parlophone soul group Gabriels were among the acts on the Sound of 2023 shortlist.