Rag'n'Bone Man is a British pop/soul/blues singer known for his unique smoky voice and bluesy style despite his young age. His stage name is a reference to a British sitcom and he began as a hip hop artist before finding success in blues-influenced pop. His 2016 single "Human" was a number one hit and his debut album was also successful, winning him several awards. Rita Ekware, who performs as Ray Blk, is a contemporary R&B and soul singer who was the first unsigned artist to win the BBC Sound of 2017 award. She releases music independently under her own label and writes about empowerment themes that have helped her gain a growing fan base.

1. Assignment 12: USP of artist
By Liam Cornwall - Tombs

2. Rory Graham aka Rag’n’Bone Man
Genre – Pop/soul/blues
USP – His nickname, chunky chap, 6’ frame, beard, tattoos, short hair, his unique bluesy smoky voice, sounds like someone who grew up in the Deep South of America in the ‘50’s.
His nickname, which started out as Rag’n’Bonez is a nod to the sixties BBC sitcom Steptoe and Son because as a teenager his favourite past time was watching old episodes.
He Mc’d with a drum and bass crew using the Rag’n’Bonez handle before he was asked to join the group the Rum Committee and supported various hip hop artists. He himself was
known at the time as a hip hop artist.
He then went on to work with the Hip Hop label High Focus and collaborated with Leaf Dog calling themselves Dog’n’Bone before going out on his own full time.
His first single as Rag’n’Bone Man was Human released in July 2016 and it reached no1 with the album of the same name being released in February 2017.
He won British Breakthrough Act and Choice Award at the 2017 Brit Awards, and International Newcomer and International Male Artist at the 2017 Echo Awards in Germany.
(Columbia)
The Brits critics’ choice award-winner’s debut is a triumph of gritty, blues-inflected pop
(High Focus Records)
Rag ‘N’ Bone has since established himself as one of the most forward-thinking and technically gifted blues singers in the United Kingdom

3. Rita Ekware aka Ray Blk aka Ray Blizzy
Genre – Contempory R&B, Soul, Neo Soul
USP – Black relatively unknown, first unsigned artist to win BBC Sound of 2017
Her stage surname BLK stands for Building, Living, Knowing her three main values.
She released her first recording, Havisham, studying for her English Degree. She releases music on her own label
and avoided signing a record deal so that she can retain rights to her own music.
She was nominated for the best newcomer award at 2016 MOBO Awards.
She hooked up with Stormzy which helped her to be known but probably the recent explosion in Grime and British R&B gave her a boost.
Although she doesn’t rap anymore she has retained the genres forthright attitude of smart lyrics and R & B melodies.
BBC's Sound Of 2017 aims to predict the most exciting new music for the year ahead.
"Some artists have that magic about them," said Radio 1's Huw Stephens. "She has a real, raw talent that cuts through so strongly. She is the real deal."
Music Week – On the Radar
The same can be said of Blk’s own music, full of relatable emotion set to inventive soul and R&B. Themes of empowerment are easily ensnaring a growing fan base, who scream
every lyric right back at her wherever she plays
Two relatively new artist won awards at the same time but one was a name that was well know and the other only known to a few.