Octavian Wins BBC Sound of 2019

22-year-old French-born Rapper Octavian has won the BBC Sound of 2019 poll, traditionally known for predicting the next big thing set to dominate the music world.

Previous winners include big names throughout the music industry such as Adele, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, Jessie J, 50 Cent, Keane, Mika, HAIM and Years & Years, to name just a few.

But Octavian's connection to past winners doesn't end there. Raised in London, Octavian won a scholarship to the acclaimed BRIT School, also attended by fellow winners Adele and Jessie J. However due to family issues he was forced to drop out and became homeless.

“I didn’t have no money, but I still managed to eat, to live,” he said. “It wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Once you’re there, that is your life. You can only look up, because down there’s nothing left.”

Octavian's first release, the 22 mixtape, landed in 2016, followed in March 2017 with the Essie World EP but it was his single 'Party Here' that really earned him recognition.

"I left my mum’s house when I was like 14 and I was just out on the roads. When the music popped off with Party Here, I went from being poor to having Ps, from being homeless to having a house. It was mad," he revealed in an interview.

Speaking about the news of the BBC poll, the rapper said, “I knew that one day I was going to be successful. I get inspired and I try to make a new sound every day. It’s going to be a very loud year for me. Loads of music, loads of visuals, loads of albums.”

Octavian is now the second rapper ever to win the poll, following 50 Cent's win in 2003.