Nao lands third spot for BBC Sound of 2016

Joining Mura Masa, WSTRN and Blossoms, London newcomer Nao has made the top five of this year’s BBC Sound Of poll. The East London-based musician has landed the #3 spot, following up her head-turning debut EP ‘February 15’, plus collaborations with Disclosure and A. K. Paul. Nao is also in DIY’s Class of 2016 - we spoke to her about trading perfection for soul. “I sang the vocals in my cupboard at home,” she told us. “When you’re in a big studio with lots of people watching you behind a glass screen, and this red light comes on, suddenly you just choke. I don’t feel I can get personal with myself, knowing people are watching. I sing into my cupboard because it’s a good bit of dead space to record into,” she laughs, “and no-one’s complained about the quality yet!”Listen to certified banger ‘Bad Blood’ below.