Pop and folk singer Myles Smith has been announced as the winner of the 2024 BBC Introducing artist of the year award. The prize is given to "an artist who has with the support of BBC Introducing", a platform aimed at undiscovered musicians, "made a significant impact that year and is on the path to stardom". Previous winners include Olivia Dean, Arlo Parks, Tom Grennan, Nia Archives, Declan McKenna, and Self Esteem.
Luton-born Smith, 26, is known for the track Stargazing, which reached number four in the UK charts and has had more than 16 million views on YouTube. This year, he reached one billion streams worldwide, BBC Introducing said, and according to Spotify he has more than 23.3 million monthly listens for his tracks, which include Wait For You, Solo, My Home and Whisper.
Smith said: "That's made my entire year, that's incredible. I literally cannot believe I'm BBC Introducing artist of the year." "It means so much to me to be awarded this award.
All of the hard work and all of the sacrifices feel so worth it." "BBC Introducing to me is more than just this small family. It's a real culture.
" "It's a real thing that moves people's lives and changes people's lives in so many different ways, and going from the uploader to this award and now touring the world shows its impact." He has toured across North America and Canada, in small venues and arenas, and returned to Luton to play the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend in May. Head of BBC Introducing Kelly Betts.